Chapter Seven: Telling Stories

"Then what do my father and the others say?" Jiang Daiyin was testing the waters to gauge the Jiang family's attitude.

Her family held military power, although they had already surrendered it. Even so, the Emperor remained wary of them. If they harbored any thoughts of rebellion, Jiang Daiyin would need to consider whether she should sever ties with them.

"The master said he has already submitted a petition to His Majesty and will be able to enter the palace to see you in a few days." Seeing that Jiang Daiyin’s expression remained unchanged, Dongqing breathed a sigh of relief.

"Very well. Given that you were acting in my best interest, I will let it slide this time. But in the future, you must inform me in advance."

"This servant will strictly obey your instructions, Your Majesty." Realizing that Jiang Daiyin was truly different now, Dongqing knelt and kowtowed.

Once Chunyu brought the books over, Jiang Daiyin began to flip through them one by one. She needed to understand the study materials before she could tailor her teaching methods to the student.

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Feng Yu paused mid-stroke as he reviewed the memorials and looked up at Fu Linhai. "Why hasn't the Eight-Treasure Tea been brought over today?"

Fu Linhai was taken aback, only then remembering that this tea had always been sent by the Empress. It was indeed missing today. He lowered his gaze and bowed respectfully. "Perhaps the Empress forgot, Your Majesty. Shall I send someone to remind her?"

"No need." Feng Yu pursed his lips. He had grown so accustomed to it that he had forgotten it was something the Empress had always sent of her own volition. Regardless of the circumstances, it had never been interrupted before. It seemed she must have been truly hurt this time.

Feng Yu’s eyes were as dark as ink, his emotions unreadable. After a long moment, he asked as if casually, "How did the Empress deal with that palace maid?"

Fu Linhai retreated to the side and replied respectfully, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress has kept that maid at the Fengyi Palace as a cleaning servant."

"Oh? She didn't punish her?" Feng Yu raised an eyebrow, his tone filled with disbelief.

"Indeed. The Empress has also moved the Tenth Prince to the sleeping quarters next to her own, and she has requested books for his enlightenment. It seems she intends to tutor the Tenth Prince herself." Fu Linhai faithfully reported everything that had happened at the Fengyi Palace.

"It seems this illness of hers was a blessing in disguise." Feng Yu’s eyes darkened.

"Continue to have people keep a close watch. I do not believe a person can suddenly change their nature entirely."

"Understood."

Since ancient times, emperors have been suspicious by nature. The fact that he could govern the country so effectively at such a young age was proof of his extraordinary ability and means.

Jiang Daiyin, however, was unaware that she was already under surveillance. By the time she had finished looking through the books, it was already evening, and rain had begun to fall outside. A sudden flash of lightning illuminated the room, followed quickly by a rumble of thunder.

"It's already autumn; why is there such a heavy downpour?" Jiang Daiyin closed her book, stood up, and stretched. Summer was prone to rain and thunder, but it was rare for autumn.

"Your Majesty, something has happened to the Tenth Prince!" Jingzhe hurried in.

"Don't panic! Tell me as we go!" Jiang Daiyin’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively headed toward Feng Wuchen’s bedchamber.

"Your Majesty, take care not to catch a cold." Chunyu hurriedly grabbed a heavy cloak and draped it over her.

"Just now, the Tenth Prince was startled awake by the thunder. He started crying and screaming, huddling in the corner, and wouldn't let any of us near him," Jingzhe explained the situation as they hurried along.

Jiang Daiyin suspected the child had suffered some trauma, which explained such an acute stress reaction. Sure enough, when she arrived, she found Feng Wuchen’s small body curled up in a corner, his head buried in his knees, his feet bare. His frail, thin appearance was heartbreaking.

"Chen'er, Mother is here." Jiang Daiyin felt a lump in her throat; it reminded her of the "left-behind" students she had taught in her previous life.

She reached out to touch Feng Wuchen’s shoulder, but he flinched away. His eyes were bloodshot and filled with tears as he practically roared, "Go away! Don't touch me!"

His birth mother had died on a night just like this—a stormy, thunderous night—during childbirth. The heart-wrenching screams had left the young boy with lasting psychological trauma.

"Mother... don't leave Chen'er, waaaaah..."

Suddenly, a pair of warm hands embraced him, and a faint, clean fragrance filled his nostrils. Feng Wuchen pouted and looked up. His tear-reddened eyes seemed to capture a glimmer of light in the darkness.

"Chen'er, would you like Mother to stay with you?"

The gentle voice smoothed the ripples in his heart, as if something deep within him had been touched.

"Waaaaah—" Feng Wuchen could no longer hold back his sobs.

[Feng Wuchen's favorability +10]

Jiang Daiyin stroked his head, comforting him in a soft whisper. "Don't be afraid, Chen'er. Shall Mother tell you a story?"

"In a faraway land, there lived a Snow White. Her skin was as white as snow, and her hair as black as ebony. But she had a wicked stepmother who was jealous of her beauty and sent a huntsman to kill her..."

The child in her arms stopped sobbing and looked up at Jiang Daiyin with his naive, youthful face. "And then?"

As expected, no child could resist the charm of a fairy tale.

"Why don't you lie down in bed, and Mother will tell you the rest?"

"Okay!" Feng Wuchen immediately forgot his crying and obediently climbed into bed.

Jiang Daiyin sat by the bedside and continued. "Just as the huntsman was about to strike, the Seven Calabash Brothers appeared out of nowhere and saved Snow White. But the Queen was not satisfied; she disguised herself and went to the forest, offering Snow White a poisoned apple."

"When Snow White went to the river to wash the apple, it accidentally fell into the water. Just as she was at a loss, the River God appeared and asked, 'My dear Snow White, did you drop this golden axe or this silver axe?'"

"Snow White said she had only dropped an apple. The River God was very pleased with her honesty and gave her both axes, because he had already eaten the apple himself."

"And then?" Feng Wuchen’s eyes were sparkling.

"But Your Majesty, if the River God ate the poisoned apple, wouldn't he have been poisoned to death?" Chunyu blinked in confusion.

"Silly, the River God is a deity; how could he be poisoned!" Xiamo couldn't help but chime in.

"That's all for tonight; I'll tell you the rest tomorrow night." Jiang Daiyin deliberately left them hanging, piquing everyone's curiosity.

"Aww..." Everyone let out a long sigh of disappointment.

Jiang Daiyin, however, was very satisfied. Because of this little story, she had earned another ten points of favorability from Feng Wuchen! If this kept up, she would reach the target soon. But what if the Emperor hadn't kicked the bucket by then?

She shook her head. She would worry about that later! Tonight, she had to prepare her lesson plans for the teaching journey with Feng Wuchen that would start tomorrow.

Meanwhile, at the Zhongcui Palace, the Seventh Prince was crying and making a scene, demanding his mother because he was scared. He would cry until he was exhausted, sleep for a while, and then start crying again until his voice went hoarse.

"Your Majesty, such a small child crying like this is no small matter! If something goes wrong..."