After my luck was stolen, I led my whole family to defy fate and change our destiny.

After Chen Boqing finished speaking, Gu Mingtang began to ponder the matter. If this were the case, there would be very few students at the Imperial Academy, and it wouldn't be able to support itself.

Chen Xining listened attentively and whispered, "Uncle, Father, I have an idea, but I don't know if I should say it."

“Speak your mind. Don’t spout those theories about women not being allowed to speak here with your uncle.”

"Yes, thank you, Uncle."

Chen Xining continued, "The Imperial Academy can offer classes for women, right? As far as I know, the daughters of court officials often hire tutors privately. Why not let women directly enter the Imperial Academy?"

"In this way, women can receive an education, and the shortage of students at the Imperial Academy can be addressed."

These words struck like a thunderbolt.

"This……"

Chen Boqing and Gu Mingtang exchanged a glance, neither of them expecting her to make such a suggestion.

"This is an excellent suggestion; I will report it to His Majesty immediately."

Gu Mingtang looked at Chen Xining with admiration and said, "Dean Chen, you've raised a wonderful daughter!"

This way, her daughter can go to school too.

Chen Boqing was honored: "Not at all, just my humble opinion."

Chen Boqing turned to his daughter and said, "Go out and keep your aunt company. Lord Gu and I have something to discuss; there's no need to take notes."

"Yes"

Chen Xining finished organizing her notes and turned to leave. In the corridor, she met Gu Liyao coming towards her. Chen Xining lowered her head.

The two moved in unison: Chen Xining moved to the left, Gu Liyao moved to the left; Chen Xining moved to the right, Gu Liyao moved to the right.

Finally, Chen Xining stopped and bowed: "Second Young Master"

Gu Liyao returned the greeting, saying, "No need to be so polite. Where are you going?"

"Go see your aunt."

"Oh, I..."

Gu Linglong hid behind a pillar and peeked at the two of them. After they finished eating, Chunhe refused to give her any more snacks, so she had to come to the kitchen while Gu Linglong turned around to pack her things.

She held the hawthorn cake that the cook had specially made for her and looked at the two of them with a smile.

Oh, in my previous life, my second brother trusted Shen Qingqing and had his spiritual root kicked. It was Sister Xining who risked her life to save him. Sister Xining is really kind.

[I wish they could be my second sister-in-law! My eldest sister-in-law is so dashing and heroic, and my second sister-in-law is so gentle and sweet. Wow~ it would be such a blessing to have two beautiful women as my sisters-in-law!]

Sister-in-law? Who is sister-in-law? What has the older brother been hiding from him?

Ever since she learned that he had mistaken her for Shen Qingqing, and that he had saved her in her past life, she had always had a strange feeling towards Chen Xining, a feeling that was both pity and gratitude.

Why did this bring up his second sister-in-law again? He was just grateful to Chen Xining.

Upon hearing the message, Gu Liyao immediately recognized Gu Linglong's presence and promptly identified her: "You're eating snacks right after dinner, confiscate them."

Gu Linglong pouted and started to cry: "Waaaaah... Pot is bad, bad!"

Chen Xining quickly handed the documents in her hand to the maid: "Second Young Master, give them to me."

Gu Linglong reached out and hugged Chen Xining's neck, "Zi Tsk~ Waaah... you're so naughty!"

Gu Linglong pointed at Gu Liyao and then at the hawthorn cake that had been stolen.

Chen Xining patted Gu Linglong's back reassuringly: "You're only a little over a year old, your tummy can't hold that much food. Here's a lollipop for you. Next time, you can't eat snacks right after your meal, okay?"

Gu Linglong looked at the lollipop in Chen Xining's hand and then at her hawthorn cake. Only after confirming that neither of them would give her any more treats did she nod and stop crying.

"so nice"

Gu Liyao sighed, "We can't give it to her; she's already vomited several times."

Chen Xining smiled and said, "These are hawthorn lollipops. I made them especially for Linglong. They're not filling, so it's okay for her to have one occasionally. Kids need to be coaxed."

Turning to Gu Linglong, he said, "Linglong, next time you can't eat snacks right after a meal, okay?"

Gu Linglong nodded in agreement: "Mmm."

"All right"

Gu Liyao had no choice but to compromise.

Suddenly, a servant rushed past from behind and almost bumped into Gu Liyao.

"I'm so sorry, Second Young Master, I truly apologize. I didn't mean to."

Gu Liyao frowned. The servants of the Gu family were usually well-trained and wouldn't act so rashly. Something must have happened. He asked, "What do you mean by being in such a hurry and almost bumping into me?"

"Reporting to the Second Young Master, word has come from the palace that His Majesty is seriously ill, perhaps... perhaps..." The servant dared not finish the sentence, but Gu Liyao had already guessed what was coming.

"Hurry, let's go find my dad together."

"Alright, alright, Second Young Master, please."

The matter was of great importance, so Gu Liyao knocked on the door twice but received no response, so he simply pushed the door open and went inside.

Gu Mingtang glared at Gu Liyao: "Didn't you see that Dean Chen and I were talking about something? You didn't even knock before coming in?"

"Dad, I knocked but you didn't hear me. Oh well, now's not the time to worry about that."

Zhun Tou said to the servant, "Repeat what you just told me to my father."

"My lord, someone from the palace has come to say that His Majesty's illness may be serious... and they are summoning you to the palace."

Gu Mingtang was so shocked that he stood up abruptly: "What happened? Everything was fine just a few days ago! Where is the Imperial Advisor?"

"I heard from someone in the palace that the Imperial Advisor has gone to the border."

"Oh dear, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and go to the palace!"

Having had his body possessed by the black mudfish for so long, it's understandable that using a mortal body to bear the weight of evil influences would have some impact. I'm just afraid that the black mudfish might have done something to the emperor before it died.

[But it's okay, take me with you, I'm super awesome!]

Gu Mingtang's first reaction was to refuse. What if the emperor's illness was contagious?

"This really depends on me. An ordinary imperial physician certainly can't do it. Although the sixth prince is a cultivator, he doesn't know medicine."

No, no, we should summon the Imperial Advisor back tonight!

The poison of evil spirits should not be underestimated; a person could be gone in the blink of an eye.

Gu Mingtang hesitated. The court had finally stabilized, but the crown prince had not yet been appointed. If something happened to His Majesty now, the situation that had just been stabilized would probably cause another huge uproar.

Gu Liyao noticed his father's hesitation: "Dad, I also know a little about medicine. Let me go with you."

[Me! Me! Me! Take me with you, Daddy, or the Emperor will be dead!]

Gu Mingtang stumbled, this... this... thankfully only his own family could hear such treasonous words, otherwise he would have been beheaded.

"Madam has gone to the temple; please take Linglong with you."

[Yay, Daddy's the best!]

The carriage arrived at the imperial city at top speed. A group of people were kneeling outside the palace, and the Empress Dowager paced anxiously back and forth.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty be well."

"Minister, please dispense with the formalities."

With the Imperial Advisor absent, the position of Prime Minister is vacant. If anything were to happen to the Emperor, Gu Mingtang would inevitably have to take on the responsibility.

The Empress Dowager's eyes welled up with tears; inside lay her own flesh and blood.

The Empress Dowager pulled Gu Mingtang aside: "Minister Gu, the imperial physician has announced that His Majesty's days are numbered. I have invited you to the palace to discuss this with you..."

[Oh dear, he's still alive! What are you discussing? If we don't go see the emperor soon, he'll really kick the bucket.]

Gu Mingtang: "..."