After being reborn, her aloof ex-husband and her crazy deceased husband got into a fight.

Lan Tingzhou agreed to teach Du Ke, and Gan Cai'er immediately led people to set up the room next to Du Ke's as a study.

The study had just been set up when Granny Huang brought Du Ke over. As soon as they entered, she ordered Du Ke to kneel and pay his respects to Lan Tingzhou, but Lan Tingzhou raised his hand to stop him.

No need for formalities.

"It was merely a brief instruction on the Eighth Prince's studies during the journey; I cannot be considered his teacher."

Seeing that Lan Tingzhou had said this, Granny Huang did not press the matter further and gave up.

Next, Lan Tingzhou inquired in detail about Du Ke's studies, what books he had read, what articles he had written, and what kind of paintings he liked.

Du Ke answered each question clearly and calmly, his demeanor composed, a stark contrast to his usual timidity and shyness in front of strangers. Though still visibly nervous, his nervousness was not faltering, and he spoke with remarkable composure.

Lan Tingzhou nodded in agreement. No wonder Lu Yu had taken a liking to him; he was indeed a promising talent. If he was properly mentored, he would surely achieve great things in time.

"Please have the Eighth Young Master write a piece of calligraphy or paint a picture for me to see," said Lan Tingzhou.

Du Ke chose to paint. When he held a brush in his hand, he became extremely focused, his young face becoming very serious.

Looking at the painting he had created, Lan Tingzhou suddenly smiled. Such a young child actually liked the freehand style of painting; no wonder Lu Yu wanted to take him on as a student.

With a few strokes, the painting began to take shape, and Lan Tingzhou looked at Du Ke with more appreciation. He looked at Du Ke with a slight smile, but as he looked, his eyes suddenly sharpened and darkened.

His gaze fell on Du Ke's hand, which was holding a pen. Du Ke's little finger was slightly raised and moved from time to time, like a restless little butterfly.

Lan Tingzhou stared intently at his little finger, not shifting his gaze even slightly. His eyes were deep and unfathomable, with dark clouds churning within them, like towering waves.

He clenched his fists tightly, sweat dripping down his forehead.

Granny Huang noticed something was wrong with Lan Tingzhou, so she stepped forward and asked softly, "Young Master Lan, is something amiss?"

Lan Tingzhou withdrew his gaze, glanced at Granny Huang, and said in a deep voice, "Granny, please allow me a moment to speak."

Having said that, he took the lead and left the study.

Granny Huang followed him out.

"Young Master Lan, is there something wrong with my young master?" Granny Huang asked.

Lan Tingzhou did not answer. He stood on the corridor, facing the river breeze, gazing at the wide expanse of water, remaining silent for a long time.

After a long while, even Granny Huang was at a loss. Just as she was about to ask another question, Lan Tingzhou suddenly spoke up, saying something completely unrelated.

"When I was a child, I also really liked the Northern style of painting."

Huang Mama was puzzled and could only listen quietly.

Lan Tingzhou smiled slightly.

"So, I almost became Lord Lu's student as well. But my father wouldn't allow it, so I gave up."

Granny Huang was even more confused, but she still smiled and humbly complimented him.

"Young Master Lan is a prodigy. Whether it's the Southern School or the Northern School, Young Master Lan is sure to shine."

Lan Tingzhou smiled faintly and said to himself, "Before my father's accident, I often made excuses to visit Lord Lu's house."

"I was only five or six years old then, about the same age as the Eighth Prince now, during the reign of the late Emperor."

Suddenly, Granny Huang seemed to realize something. Her slightly bowed body stiffened abruptly, and the smile on her face faded for a moment. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes, carrying a hint of murderous intent.

"I wonder what Young Master Lan's intention is in telling this old servant all this?"

"My wife once learned the art of disguise from the old lady for a few days. I think the old lady should know that the art of disguise can change appearance, shape, and even bones, but it cannot change the spirit. And innate habits are even more difficult to change."

"Young Master Lan, what do you want to say?" Granny Huang raised her head, her eyes turning cold.

Seeing Huang Mama's suddenly sharp eyes and her tense, ready-to-launch attack, Lan Tingzhou didn't seem surprised.

He smiled slightly, still appearing calm and composed.

“My father was unjustly imprisoned. It was only after the current emperor ascended the throne and granted a general amnesty that I was able to shed my status as the son of a criminal and participate in the imperial examinations.”

Lan Tingzhou looked at Granny Huang with a cool and calm gaze: "I am grateful to His Majesty."

Granny Huang didn't speak, but just looked at Lan Tingzhou. Her slightly bowed body had straightened up, and the old woman in her fifties suddenly looked like a sharp sword.

Lan Tingzhou had no doubt that Granny Huang had the ability to kill him in one blow.

However, he was not afraid.

“Since my wife has accepted your money, the Lan family will naturally keep its promise and do everything in its power to safely deliver the Eighth Prince to the capital.”

"You don't need to worry about that, Granny."

Granny Huang's expression softened slightly, and her guarded demeanor relaxed a bit.

"In that case, this old servant thanks Young Master Lan on behalf of my master."

"However, I wonder what Young Master Lan's intention is in telling this old servant all this?"

Granny Huang asked the question again.

This time, however, her tone lacked the interrogation and murderous intent, but instead conveyed sincerity and a hint of ulterior motive.

Lan Tingzhou lowered his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke.

“My father was framed and imprisoned unjustly. He couldn’t withstand the torture and died tragically in prison.”

"Although His Majesty pardoned him in the general amnesty, he should not have been guilty of this crime in the first place. As a son, I must redress this injustice, and the culprit must be eliminated."

Granny Huang remained silent for a moment.

“This old servant is not very cultured and has limited knowledge. However, I do know that ‘good and evil will eventually be rewarded,’ and that those who do evil will eventually be punished. Heaven has eyes.”

"The injustice done to Lord Lan will one day be redressed."

"Really?" Lan Tingzhou asked, looking at Granny Huang.

"Yes, of course it will. Heaven will be just." Granny Huang smiled kindly. At this moment, she became the loving old nanny she always was.

“Young Master Lan, look at these dark clouds that obscure the sun. They can only obscure it for a while, not forever.”

On the distant river, several thick clouds drifted past the sun from time to time, causing the light to dim and bright intermittently.

"Then I'll take your kind words, Granny." Lan Tingzhou cupped his hands and bowed to Granny Huang.

"Oh dear, I can't accept that. Young Master Lan, you're making this old servant feel too bad." Granny Huang stepped aside to avoid the compliment.

“Starting tomorrow, I will come to teach the Eighth Prince every day at Chenshi (7-9 AM).

"This old servant has remembered," Huang Mama replied.

Then, she paused and tentatively asked, "Does the young master still need to prepare a ceremony for becoming an apprentice?"

Lan Tingzhou smiled faintly, still refusing: "No need. I am not learned enough to be the teacher of the Eighth Prince."

Granny Huang felt a sense of awe. Everyone said that Lord Lan was a man of unyielding integrity who never flattered or fawned over the powerful, and it seemed that this was indeed true. Like father, like son; no wonder Lord Du and Lord Lu both thought highly of Lan Tingzhou.

"There is one thing that you must be extremely careful about, Granny," Lanting said suddenly.

"Please speak, Young Master Lan."

"No one is allowed to enter the Eighth Prince's study except for his closest relatives. In particular, outsiders are strictly prohibited from entering when he is writing or painting."

Lan Tingzhou spoke with great seriousness, and Granny Huang felt a chill run down her spine.

"Why?"

“Like father, like son,” Lan Tingzhou said calmly, enunciating each word clearly.

Granny Huang's pupils contracted, utterly shocked.

"I can enter Lord Lu's house, and so can others. As far as I know, Lord Lu has quite a few students."

"Ten years or so is not a very long time."

"Thank you for your guidance, young master. This old servant will make the arrangements immediately." Granny Huang bowed deeply to Lan Tingzhou.

"Granny." Lan Tingzhou called out to Granny Huang, who was about to turn and leave.

"Has Lord Du sent anyone to protect you secretly?"

Granny Huang paused, then shook her head: "No, Lord Du wouldn't dare to show any special favor to the Eighth Young Master."

Lan Tingzhou suddenly felt a surge of anger, and he laughed angrily: "Is this how you take advantage of A-Cai's kind heart and gullibility?"

"There aren't any protective measures at all?!"

"Young Master Lan, please calm down. This matter is of utmost importance. Anyone who knows about it is facing a near-death experience. How could we dare let Madam Lan know? Keeping her in the dark is the best thing for her."

Lan Tingzhou closed his eyes, trying to calm his anger. He knew that it was safer not to know than to not know, but the thought of Gan Cai'er being foolishly deceived, used, and even having her life disregarded made it impossible for him to suppress his anger.

Granny Huang is gone.

Lan Tingzhou stood on the deck enjoying the river breeze until Du Ke came to him with the painting, at which point he regained his composure.

Du Ke painted a river and boats. His brushwork was immature, but his artistic conception was expansive. He truly resembled his father.

Lan Tingzhou looked at Du Ke, and the image of another person flashed before his eyes. It was a boy of about ten years old, with delicate features, and a quiet and reserved personality. He always liked to avoid strangers, but would reveal his lively and mischievous side when he met familiar people.

He was a prince with no power or influence who loved calligraphy and painting. When he painted, he always liked to curl his little finger upwards, which made Lu Yu scold him a lot, but he just couldn't change it.

For a period of time, Lan Tingzhou often encountered Lu Yu at his home, and Lu Yu would occasionally show Lan Tingzhou his paintings.

It is often said that one's writing reflects one's personality, and one's painting reflects one's personality.

Lantingzhou believed that a person without a broad vision and lofty ambitions could not possibly paint such a magnificent landscape painting.

"Eighth Young Master, how old are you this year?" Lan Tingzhou asked.

“Sir, I am six years old this year,” Du Ke replied in a clear voice.

Lan Tingzhou chuckled inwardly. This must be the real reason Lord Du left the capital for Danzhou.

This strange encounter suddenly made Lan Tingzhou feel that perhaps he could really win the bet that Gan Cai'er had made.

If he really wins, he wants to buy Gan Cai'er a phoenix crown and gold hairpin inlaid with rubies.

She should be like a proud phoenix, vibrant and fiery.