In the evening, the two children came to pay their respects.
Chu Yin took them to the study.
"Father is reading," she said. "Xuzi, Zhen, when you're a bit older, Father can teach you too."
Lu Zhen asked in a childish tone, "What book is Daddy reading?"
"The Records of the Grand Historian."
Learning from history to understand the rise and fall of dynasties, hence Lu Jingzhao always enjoyed reading historical texts.
Lu Zhen, not understanding, asked, "Doesn't Daddy read the 'Thousand Character Classic'?"
"The 'Thousand Character Classic'?" Lu Jingzhao turned to Chu Yin. "You're teaching them that?"
"Not exactly teaching; they can't really learn it yet. I'm just familiarizing them with it."
"That's good, they'll learn faster later on." Lu Jingzhao lifted both children onto his lap and moved the "Records of the Grand Historian" further away, wary of their little hands crumpling the pages.
Chu Yin smiled upon seeing this; he had already gained quite some experience.
Sitting on their father's lap, the children began to chatter.
Lu Xuzi talked to his father about horse riding, believing he had grown enough to start learning.
Lu Zhen mentioned eating ice cream in the afternoon, how sweet it was, and asked Lu Jingzhao if he had tried it.
Chu Yin found herself fixated on the flower arrangement on the table, waiting for Lu Jingzhao to mention it, but he never did from beginning to end.
This made her a bit irritated.
How could he not even say a word of thanks after receiving something?
After Xiao Dou and Qi Nian carried the children away, she couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, don't you like the flower arrangement?"
How did she discern that? He merely thought she was a bit too fixated on having more children.
"No, it's not that."
So, it wasn't that. Chu Yin said, "If you liked it, you should have told me."
His lack of dislike didn't necessarily imply liking; it could also be indifference. Lu Jingzhao didn't feel inclined to explain such a trivial matter: "It's time for dinner, let's go."
Getting him to say "I like it" seemed as difficult as scaling a mountain, leaving Chu Yin somewhat disheartened.
But it wasn't as if Lu Jingzhao hadn't changed at all. The recent embrace in Kun Ning Palace was something unimaginable in her previous life.
She accompanied him out.
As they reached the eaves, she suddenly reached out and gently clasped his fingers.
He halted, looking down at her.
Without looking up, her expression was hidden, only her eyelashes fluttering softly like butterfly wings.
His heart felt as if it had been tapped by a hammer, trembling momentarily. Ultimately, he didn't pull away. He found Chu Yin's increasing tactics increasingly unpredictable, yet not displeasing.
They were, after all, husband and wife. Holding hands was, in fact, nothing out of the ordinary.
He accompanied her.
Their sleeves overlapped, completely concealing their intertwined fingers.
However, Chu Yin's fingers weren't exactly still, playfully scratching his palm halfway through their walk.
He paused, suddenly asking, "Do you want to say something?"
Holding hands was one thing, but this teasing was another – what was she up to?
It wasn't even dark yet. Was she already impatient?
Chu Yin looked up, her smile light and slightly mischievous: "Nothing in particular, just felt like doing this," she said. "Your Highness can do the same." It was actually a test, increasingly 'trespassing' his boundaries to seek his permission.
"......"
He didn't feel inclined to scratch her back.
Yet, to prevent her from scratching him again, Lu Jingzhao turned his hand to firmly grasp her entire palm, leading her back inside the palace.
Under the bright moon and sparse stars, a perfect mid-autumn night, Chu Yin leaned against the door, admiring the moonlight.
She wondered how this year's Mid-Autumn Festival would be celebrated.
Probably with a family dinner at Kun Ning Palace, then everyone returning to their respective quarters, not much different from usual family dinners, except for an extra dish of mooncakes on the table.
She found herself missing her mother and brother.
Her father, serving as an official elsewhere, rarely came home.
Lian Qiao spoke softly, "Your Highness, the bath is ready."
Chu Yin turned and walked towards the side chamber.
The heat made her lethargic, half-asleep, half-awake, leaning against the bedhead. When Lu Jingzhuo arrived, he didn't utter a word, just leaned down and kissed her lips.
It was an aggressive, passionate kiss, just as she had once requested.
Chu Yin immediately became fully alert, utterly surprised.
Did he really want to be intimate in such hot weather?
Wasn't he afraid of discomfort?
But his lips were so soft, the kiss so pleasing, she couldn't bring herself to push him away, embracing his neck and surrendering to the moment.
Soon, they were both sweating profusely, soaking the summer mats on the bed.
She wondered how he could be so enthusiastically inclined.
But then again, they had been quite frequent lately, nothing like in her previous life.
Chu Yin, looking up at his face, sweaty yet still strikingly handsome, suddenly remembered him asking Judge Liu if she could conceive.
Could it be that he really wanted a child?
Unfortunately, she hadn't conceived during this period...
She feared he was destined for disappointment.
On a dim morning, Yi Jian waited at the imperial palace gates, holding a bundle.
He felt as though he was in a dream.
But who would dare to falsely announce an imperial edict? If it was said the Emperor summoned him, then it was indeed the Emperor's summon.
As the sun rose, shining on his cracked, blood-tinged lips, he felt no pain, focused solely on presenting his years of research on locust plague prevention to the Emperor, hoping to aid the people.
Under the scorching sun, his figure was lean and erect, resembling a resilient bamboo.
As the palace gates opened, an attendant glanced at him and said, "Master Yi Jian, right? Please follow me."
The majestic Qianqing Palace loomed ahead.
Yi Jian ascended the white marble steps, entering the palace hall with measured steps.
His appearance was refined but worn, making it hard to guess his age. Emperor Jianxing asked, "I hear you have methods to control locust plagues, is that true?"
Yi Jian knelt and performed a bow, then opened his bundle, revealing a dozen books: "Your Majesty, I have studied agricultural texts from the past nine dynasties since the Hui Dynasty. Although I have some insights, I dare not claim credit. These methods are based on the experiences of predecessors, which I have compiled for your review."
The emperor commanded a servant to fetch the books.
Reading quickly, the emperor soon finished one book and exclaimed loudly, "Excellent, you truly have talent!" He laughed heartily, "I didn't expect my daughter-in-law to have such discernment, or rather, such keen ears, to find a talent based on mere words."
Yi Jian was completely confused.
What did he mean by daughter-in-law? The Crown Princess?
What did this have to do with the Crown Princess?
The emperor continued reading the second book, offering Yi Jian a seat in the meantime.
Two hours passed unnoticed, and the emperor finally looked up: "Yi Jian, hear my decree. I promote you to Langzhong of the Ministry of Revenue, in charge of agricultural affairs of the six major counties under the capital. Assume your duties immediately."
Yi Jian was stunned by the swift decision, then quickly knelt to express his gratitude: "Your servant will not fail Your Majesty's trust!"
Watching Yi Jian's departing figure, Emperor Jianxing stroked his beard, feeling a strong sense of assurance – next year's locust plague should be under control, at least there wouldn't be widespread famine.
In high spirits, he declared, "Reward the Crown Princess with twenty rolls of colorful silk and two cases of jewels. He Zhong, deliver them personally."
He Zhong complied.
At that moment, Chu Yin was telling stories from a storybook to her children. Hearing about the emperor's reward, she quickly came out to receive it.
After He Zhong announced the decree, he smiled and said, "Crown Princess, you have recommended a true talent to Great Yue. The emperor is greatly pleased, thus rewarding you... Master Yi Jian is now the Langzhong of the Ministry of Revenue."
A promotion from County Magistrate to Langzhong, leaping four ranks to a fifth-rank official – a remarkable achievement.
If Yi Jian could seize this opportunity and effectively handle the locust plague, his future would undoubtedly be bright.
There was no doubt about it; he was already an expert in locust control, just always overshadowed by...
Chu Yin said, "I must go to express my gratitude for the Emperor's grace."
She immediately took a carriage to Qianqing Palace.
Unexpectedly, his daughter-in-law had come to give thanks. Emperor Jianxing laughed, "Ah Yin, no need for thanks, you merely received what you deserved."
Despite his words, Chu Yin still respectfully bowed.
Then she stood and said, "Father Emperor's ability to recognize and utilize talent is a blessing for Dayue. It's just unfortunate that some officials are duplicitous, overshadowing others... otherwise, Registrar Yi wouldn't have needed my recommendation."
Emperor Jianxing was stunned, then his expression darkened, "Are you saying someone knew of his abilities but deliberately concealed them? This is outrageous... Yi Jian didn't mention this!"
"Perhaps Master Yi is too virtuous, focused solely on his research and not one to seek redress for being wronged. But Father Emperor, every day he is hidden is a loss for Dayue."
Emperor Jianxing now fully understood.
It must be the county magistrate of Nanhe, or even a higher official like the prefect, who kept Yi Jian from standing out.
Emperor Jianxing slammed the table, "No wonder no capable men have been found these three years! A bunch of scoundrels, daring to deceive me. He Zhong... summon Qin Xiao!"
Qin Xiao was the commander of the Jinyiwei, answering only to the Emperor, beyond the jurisdiction of any other office.
Seeing the situation, Chu Yin tactfully excused herself.
Her few words led to the beheading of four corrupt officials in the following days.
Unaware of this, Chu Yin arrived at the Eastern Palace and saw Lu Jingzhuo just returning from Chunhui Pavilion. She couldn't help but pull on his sleeve and boast, "Your Highness, Father Emperor rewarded me, did you see? Registrar Yi's matter wasn't a lie."
Lu Jingzhuo: "..."
"Don't you believe it?" She was radiant, her eyes curved into crescents, "Father Emperor has already promoted Registrar Yi to a Langzhong, a fifth-rank official now."
"I believe you, but," Lu Jingzhuo fixed his gaze on her, "are you this happy just because of that?"
"Yes, I am. I have an eye for talent, of course, I'm happy!" She suddenly realized that in this second life, she could change not only her own and her family's destiny but also save many lives, ensuring that capable officials were not buried in obscurity.
Her rebirth was truly meaningful.
Her smile was dazzling, indescribable, perhaps like the blazing sun, bright and vivid, making one feel slightly dizzy.
Lu Jingzhuo didn't know why, but he couldn't resist the sudden impulse and bent down to kiss her rosy lips.
