In the novel "Joy of Life," the protagonist wakes up at Li Chengze's residence.

"...What nonsense are you talking about!?" Li Yunrui was already a little confused when he heard the name of Emperor Qing, but when he heard that he was "favored", he actually became a little more sober for the first time.

Tao Jingyang found her reaction amusing. "How did Li Yunqian conquer the country? He relied on Ye Qingmei, the Ye family, the Qin family, civil and military officials... and even you."

She paused for a second after speaking, then added, "Oh, right, it also depends on Li Yunqian's father. If Li Yunqian hadn't been 'favored' by Heaven, he probably wouldn't have been born into an imperial family, let alone been granted a title or high-ranking position."

Throughout history, men and women have always been at odds and applied differently when it comes to resources. In ancient times, women were said to rely on their maternal family before marriage, but after marriage, they were said to live off their husband's family.

As a result, he was used and eaten by both sides, and was neither allowed into the ancestral halls of either side nor considered an outsider by either.

But men are different. They have all the resources left by their parents, such as land and houses, which they can accept with a clear conscience, whether it is promotion or mentorship from male or female superiors.

Has anyone ever mocked them for relying on others? No.

Has anyone ever said they aren't independent? No.

So why is it that women are expected to rely entirely on themselves? Even emperors didn't conquer the world by themselves alone, did they?

"Using momentum to gain an advantage, using leverage to fight back—if men can do it, women should too. Why should we feel ashamed?"

After listening, Li Yunrui frowned and stared blankly for two seconds. "Tao Jingyang, are you crazy? How can you talk about these things in broad daylight?"

The entire city of Fengyang is guarded, and what they say at this moment will definitely be overheard.

"So what if someone overhears? Who would dare to tell anyone?" Tao Jingyang gave a harmless smile. "Even if they did, so what? So what if they were talked about? What powerful person doesn't attract hatred?"

She turned over the teacup and filled Li Yunrui's cup with coarse tea. "They hate me and despise me because they are afraid of me, afraid of my power and skills."

“If anyone offends me out of jealousy, just drag them out and beat them up. If they offend me again, I’ll kill them.” Tao Jingyang pushed the cup toward the other person.

She looked at the slightly surprised expression on the other person's face and asked, "What's wrong? Does what I'm saying sound like it's fallen into a cliché?"

Li Yunrui stared coldly at the tea for a long time without making a move. "I used to think you would be a saint, but after meeting you today, I realize you are not like that at all."

Tao Jingyang stopped talking about anything else and said, "If a person doesn't look out for himself, he'll be punished by heaven and earth."

"I am simply blessed by heaven, and I was born lucky enough to receive these things, so I should give back a part of them to this world, whether it be peace or something else."

Benevolence and ruthlessness are not contradictory; in chaotic times, if one only acts as a saint, one would not have survived to this day.

The latter had calmed down and stared at her quietly for a long time.

"Tao Jingyang, do temples really exist in the world?"

"It is a temple, but it is not. However, the origin is never important; what matters is the destination. As I said, they are just ordinary people who have been favored by fate."

"Liar. You've gone around in circles, all you wanted to do was avoid telling me the truth."

Tao Jingyang shook his head. "For you, it's better not to know. Or perhaps, one day you will find out."

"One day?" Li Yunrui gave a bitter laugh. "How many days do I, a dying man, have left to live?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Tao Jingyang got up and left, saying as he walked away, "Will you die?"

Li Yunrui didn't reply; she knew she wouldn't get the answer she wanted today.

"Let's try to live." Tao Jingyang walked out of the courtyard gate and looked at the high walls surrounding the place in the distance. "Perhaps one day, you will be able to leave this place."

The walls are so high you can't see the sky, and the space is cramped and stuffy; if you stay there for too long, you'll feel like you can't breathe.

Inside the high walls were dozens of commoner residences, with the keys to the gates guarded by designated personnel, ensuring there was absolutely no possibility of communication between them or an escape.

Whether Li Yunrui can leave this place is hard to say; it all depends on her own fate.

Regardless of how many good or bad things she has done, it's already a blessing to spare her life here.

Tao Jingyang got into the carriage and left without looking back.

He said to the palace servants beside him, "I heard that Li Chengqian is also imprisoned here?"

The latter bowed his head respectfully and replied, "Yes, it's at the end of the street. Would the Imperial Preceptor like to go there?"

"Everyone says he's changed his ways and only reads religious books." She leaned back and looked up at the sky.

"Reporting to the Imperial Preceptor, it is indeed true." He dared not lie, after all, Li Chengqian's books were all purchased and brought back by them.

Tao Jingyang remained silent for a moment, but ultimately only passed by the courtyard gate without going in.

Can one become a Buddha simply by laying down the butcher's knife?

Maybe so, who knows? Or perhaps Li Chengqian was just looking for something to cling to.

However, even the fish in the moat were fortunate. Since the day of the rebellion when blood flowed like a river, they had drunk human blood and had become much fatter, and even their splashing frequency had increased significantly.

..........

After she left Fengyang, Li Yunrui sat at the table for a long time.

As dusk approached and the sun began to set, before the light faded behind the high walls, Li Yunrui picked up the cold tea, which was already covered in dust.

Drink it all in one gulp.

..........

Tao Jingyang scooped up a spoonful of milk cheese, which was topped with dried osmanthus flowers with yellow specks and a few small, unidentified fruits that tasted a bit sour.

"So your elder brother wants to bring Consort Ning to live on the border?" She was trying to pick all the sour fruits into Li Chengze's bowl at this moment.

Li Chengze watched silently, actually thinking that someone could make another bowl of this.

But he remained silent, watching her actions and clicking his tongue helplessly. "That's how it is. Several letters have been sent. My elder brother here doesn't seem worried at all about being suspected of having too much power."

"If he really thinks of this, you'd be unhappy." After picking them out, it was finally time to eat. One bite, and the aroma of milk filled the air.

Li Chengze picked up another bowl. "Then, should I just agree to his request?"

"Are you happy about this?" Tao Jingyang scooped out another small spoonful and smacked it in his mouth with his tongue.

He picked up the bowl but hesitated to eat, saying, "To be honest, I'm not willing."

He held military power and was a border general.

Historically, those who could command troops would leave their families in the capital. However, the eldest prince had been away from the capital for many years, and apart from his mother, there was no one else that Li Chengru was concerned about.

If Consort Ning were to be sent away this time... it would undoubtedly be a thorn in Li Chengze's heart.

Tao Jingyang knew what he was thinking, so he said for him, "The Crown Prince has been guarding the border for many years, enduring wind and sun every day, and has truly suffered a lot."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Why don't we call him back? That way, he can fulfill his filial duty."

Li Chengze seemed to be pondering something, as if he was also facing a dilemma: "If my elder brother comes back, we really can't find anyone to fill the vacancy in a short time."

People who possess both loyalty and intelligence are rare; among the generals he previously led in suppressing the rebels,

Chen Mo is as his name suggests: quiet and gloomy, but with a lot on his mind; Wu Bai looks upright and generous, but is actually stingy and greedy.

Only Zhang Hu, who came from humble beginnings, joined the army to pay for his mother's medical treatment. He earned his reputation in the army by relying on the strength he developed from farming.

He came from a humble background and had never really fit in with the crowd.