"I don’t even know what she’s dissatisfied about?"

She blabbed: "I told the Fifth Prince that if he wanted to become Emperor, he’d better curb his ambitions. The Holy Emperor is still hale and hearty, maybe she didn’t like what she heard."

Just a few words with enough weight to cause discord and division.

If Yu Tingwan had been subtle with a thousand twists, perhaps Emperor Ying would have suspected her of scheming.

But she was straightforward and clear in her expression, combined with her demeanor in Cining Palace...

Emperor Ying couldn’t see any trace of intentional plotting in her. He burst into laughter, seemingly unfazed.

Tsk.

Yu Tingwan didn’t believe he was indifferent at all.

This sort of thing is never good.

He’s just pretending.

If he truly didn’t care, why has he been distant from the Fifth Prince lately?

Yu Tingwan looked innocent: "I offended the Fifth Prince Consort. Even if she was wrong, there’s a difference between close and distant; you won’t blame me, will you?"

Emperor Ying ordered the attendants to serve tea.

He didn’t mention a word about who was right or wrong in this matter.

"Gui Zhi has grown up under my watch. Despite everything, even old Five can’t match the care I’ve given him. What are you talking about close or distant?"

"How could I compete with a younger generation like you?"

Yu Tingwan spoke appropriately to each person, her confidence visibly rising with this statement.

Her intentions were written all over her face.

"Then I can rest assured, you are indeed so amiable. Not like the rumors outside."

These words were even more laughable. Emperor Ying increasingly disregarded her, responding nonchalantly.

"Oh? What do they say about me in Ze County?"

Yu Tingwan: "I was speaking about outside the palace, in Shangjing. It’s best not to ask about Ze County."

Emperor Ying had merely asked casually at first, but seeing her reluctance to speak piqued his interest.

As an emperor, he was particularly conscious of how he was perceived outside.

"Tell me."

Yu Tingwan was troubled.

Emperor Ying: "Even if some people think I’m unwise, and there are criticisms outside, it’s because I might not be doing well enough somewhere."

"I am busy with endless affairs daily, without disguising myself for inspections, how would I know the citizens’ voices?"

"Once you speak, I promise there will be no retaliation, there might even be a reward."

Yu Tingwan obliged him.

"It’s not really about curses."

"People in Ze County generally don’t mention you."

"Even though you are the emperor, that place is remote. The County Magistrate is the biggest official, determining their life and death, so why would anyone willingly mention you?"

"As long as the country is stable and it doesn’t affect their daily lives, they don’t care who the Holy Emperor is; irrelevant people are not remembered."

Emperor Ying: ???

Being ignored was more hurtful than being scolded.

But Yu Tingwan continued innocently: "Even if they mentioned you, it wouldn’t add a grain of rice to their bowls, nor would it increase their meager assets."

Emperor Ying showed a moment of distortion.

Yu Tingwan: "What do you plan on rewarding?"

Yu Tingwan: "I like gold, I don’t mind having more."

Emperor Ying: ...

"Your Majesty."

The servant who brought in the tea spoke up: "Lord Grand Tutor is outside."

Emperor Ying squinted, a hint of danger flashing in his eyes. He had just summoned the person, and Gu Fuju knew almost immediately!

"I’m no wild beast; it’s not like I’d eat his daughter."

After speaking, Emperor Ying looked at Yu Tingwan.

He sighed, showing understanding.

"Miss Gu has been dearly cherished for over a decade, and although you’re his own daughter, raised apart, it’s inevitable he’d be more concerned about you."

These words were skillful.

Anyone else would have felt uncomfortable by now.

Yu Tingwan blinked, then nodded. Her clear eyes revealed she hadn’t understood.

Emperor Ying: ...

Very well.

He spoke as if chatting about family matters:

"Is everything at home well these days?"

Yu Tingwan hesitated: "... I suppose so."

Emperor Ying: "How is Gui Zhi?"

She was melancholy: "It’s all the same, really."

The atmosphere in the hall was pleasant, she relaxed more, with no precaution at all.

"He can’t wield weapons anymore, though he never says it, he’s upset inside. Vice General Chi’s frequent visits have all been declined."

"He was even anxious on the day you had your incident."

This was too false; Emperor Ying didn’t believe it.

His gaze towards Yu Tingwan sharpened.

Yu Tingwan: "But he slept quite well that night. Maybe he’s not in good health; even if he wanted to care, he couldn’t handle it."

Alright.

Suspicions were dismissed.

Emperor Ying remembered: on the night when the palace incident occurred, the Black Shadow returned to report about trusted aides of the second son and mentioned Xiao Huaian.

Xiao Huaian once went to the Wei Zhao Mansion but was turned away.

He was probably only pretending to be tense for Xiao Huaian’s sake.

Emperor Ying realized, Wei Zhao never divulged anything to Yu Tingwan, so much so that she truly thought the relationship between Emperor and ministers was indeed friendly.

"Gui Zhi loves reading, I have some rare books. I’ll send them to you later."

"No need."

Yu Tingwan: "My husband doesn’t even go to his study anymore."

Silly woman.

Not going to the study and not meeting subordinates, what does this mean?

For noble families, if they had plans, they’d discuss them in the study.

Emperor Ying squinted: "Why?"

"He considers himself a cripple."

Yu Tingwan: "How could he think like that?"

Yu Tingwan: "I don’t despise him."

She lied with open eyes: "I married him because of his good looks, it had nothing to do with whether he could read or lead troops into battle."

Emperor Ying was thoughtful.

"And Suxuan..., is your mother-in-law well?"

Yu Tingwan smiled gently.

"Though my husband has returned, my mother-in-law is visibly much better. Yet, she still misses my father-in-law."

"She copies Buddhist scriptures daily, and visits the ancestral hall every few days to talk to him."

Yu Tingwan: "It shows their deep affection."

Not a word was what Emperor Ying wanted to hear.

Yet, he asked much, but seemed to gain nothing useful. Whatever seemed useful was likely orchestrated by Yu Tingwan.

When Yu Tingwan left, a whole stick of incense had burned away.

Yes.

A stick of nonsense-talk.

She just stepped over the threshold.

"Yaoyao."

Gu Fuju walked over, examining her up and down. Even though he was sure she would be fine, only seeing her safe relieved him.

Yu Tingwan was a bit surprised.

"You..."

"Lord Grand Tutor."

The servant who had served the refreshments earlier approached.

"Have you observed closely? Is the young lady of your house complete and unharmed?"

This was obviously aiding the emperor in his inquiry.

Spoken with a smile, yet enough tension to fill the air.

Yu Tingwan looked up at the sky.

Hmm.

She pretended not to understand.

Her palms were sweaty.

Saying she was not nervous before would be a lie.

Gu Fuju calmly bowed towards the palace.

"Your Majesty jests.’

"I simply haven’t seen my beloved daughter for a long time, and my heart worries."

Saying this, he looked at Yu Tingwan.

It was still raining.

Gu Fuju opened an umbrella, covering her head, his expression gentle: "I’ll take you home."

Yu Tingwan pressed her lips together.

Actually...

Gu Fuju was a bit like her father.

Just by standing there, it seemed he could shelter her from the sky.

Silently conveying a message.

— Where the elders stand, no storm can touch you