After the mind-reading and gossip-eating incident, officials in the imperial city were demoted one a

Chapter 143: Only Hatred for Him

"Ah! Help me sell the painting."

Liu Tiansheng looked at the money pouch Xin Chuli handed him, then pinched himself hard. It hurt; he wasn't dreaming.

"Girl, you..."

"Young Master Liu, let me handle this matter."

Ye Yaoyao took out the painting she had brought and handed it to him to look at.

"Young Master Liu, did you paint this?"

Liu Tiansheng took a look and nodded hurriedly: "It is indeed my painting. I wonder if there is anything wrong with it?"

Ye Yaoyao's expression brightened. "To be honest, we are looking for older Nightshade Vine."

Upon hearing Ye Yaoyao's request, Liu Tiansheng looked regretful, holding the painting in his hands with a sorrowful expression. He didn't know if he could still find it.

"Our village is the one closest to the mountain in Fugui Town. We live off the mountain, and the older generation in the village all know about this Night-Blooming Vine."

My grandfather said that this vine has existed for a very long time, no one knows exactly how many years. Everyone says that it has become a spirit, has spiritual energy, and protects the entire mountain.

The villagers only dared to collect fallen vines when they went up the mountain to gather medicinal herbs, but unfortunately, one day they were all burned in a fire.

“Sister Yaoyao, there might be someone hiding in their village.”

Xin Chuli said softly, and Ye Yaoyao nodded without replying.

“When I was a child, I saw a huge fire in the mountains. I secretly followed the villagers up the mountain and saw it. I had never seen such a big fire before. The scene has stayed in my memory, so I drew it. I never thought that my benefactor would need it.”

Liu Tiansheng's face was full of emotion. He shook his head helplessly. It was truly a coincidence.

Are there any old *Lysimachia foenum-graecum* vines still on that mountain?

"Nothing."

"Have any new plants grown on the burned area?"

"Later I went to the town's private school and rarely went into the deep mountains again, so I don't know about that."

Liu Tiansheng put down the painting, a hint of apology on his face.

"Does anyone in your village still have Nightshade Vine vines hidden away?"

Xin Chuli looked at him expectantly, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists.

"The village is poor, and most people make a living by selling medicinal herbs. After so many years, it's hard to say if anyone is still here. I wonder if I can be of any help?"

Liu Tiansheng frowned, looking uncertain.

"It's alright, we'll send some people to inquire."

Knowing where the Nightshade Vine grows makes it easier to find.

After leaving Doctor Han's residence, Ye Yaoyao didn't plan to go back so early. Instead, she browsed the stalls looking for information about the Phoenix Tail Flower.

The two spent the afternoon browsing around but didn't find out anything. They bought a lot of trinkets and then sat down at a stall to eat mutton noodles.

As dusk fell and the light gradually dimmed, many students remained on this street.

There was a man squatting on one side of the shop entrance, clutching a book tightly in his hand, his eyes fixed on the pages, his brows sometimes furrowed and sometimes relaxed, muttering to himself.

The dim light forced him to get close to the book, almost pressing his face against it.

Some leaned against the walls on both sides of the street, books laid flat on their laps, bodies slightly leaning forward, completely absorbed, as if the noise outside had nothing to do with them.

Some sat around on the steps next to a shop, whispering about the problems in the book, their pens writing incessantly on the worn paper.

"The sun is almost setting, why are there still so many people reading on the street?"

The stall owner said:

“Girl, this is how it is here these days. After ten years of hard study, poor families have to scrimp and save to buy books, let alone spend money on lamp oil! They can only read by the light of the free lamps.”

I saw an oil lamp in the inn across the street, where several people were gathered reading. They were the ones who had saved up enough money to buy one to share.

Listening to the stall owner's words, the two exchanged a glance, a wave of emotion washing over them.

"These students really have it tough," Ye Yaoyao said, her gaze still fixed on the figures studying diligently.

"Yes, they studied so hard in order to pass the imperial examinations."

Looking at the worn-out books in their hands, Ye Yaoyao realized the hardship ordinary people faced in accessing education.

The Four Treasures of the Study in ancient times were precious, ranking first in the path to officialdom, and many people wanted to change their fate through them.

Papermaking was controlled by officials and noble families, and very few people could afford to study.

The old books those students had were secondhand, and they weren't much cheaper.

Ye Yaoyao had an idea.

After returning home, Ye Yaoyao wrote several papers, waiting for Qin Jingyu's arrival, but when it was time for her to go to bed, he still hadn't come.

"He used to come uninvited, but now I can't even see him if I want to."

[Host, the handsome man might be busy. Why don't you just go and visit him in person?]

The Emperor wants to choose a concubine for him, so I won't be able to visit Prince Jing's residence as often in the future.

【Why! 】

[I'm being watched.] Ye Yaoyao yawned, tidied up the letter, and went to rest.

In the imperial study, the emperor would read a memorial and then toss it away.

"Snap!" The remaining memorials were swept away.

"How long has Qin Jingyu been back? Are all these court officials loyal to him?"

Chief eunuch Wu Dahai quickly brought over some tea.

"Your Majesty, please calm down! Your Majesty, please calm down!"

"How can I calm down? So many people in the court have petitioned for Ye Xiumu to return to the capital, yet they all disregard me."

Wu Dahai carefully considered his words: "Your Majesty, perhaps these court officials are confused for a moment because they are thinking of the late Emperor."

The emperor's eyes widened in anger:

"Foolish? They are deliberately going against me! Qin Jingyu has countless trump cards up his sleeve. With just one word from him, so many veteran ministers have petitioned for Ye Xiumu's return. How can I possibly sit securely on my throne?"

The emperor paced back and forth in the imperial study, his face so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it.

"I am the ruler of this land, how dare they defy me!"

The young eunuch cautiously picked up the memorials from the ground, not daring to utter a sound.

"I have treated them well, yet they are so eager to support Qin Jingyu!" The Emperor roared, his eyes wide with anger, pointing at the memorials on the ground.

Wu Dahai lowered his head, his forehead covered in cold sweat. "Your Majesty, please calm down. It is important to take care of your health."

The Emperor abruptly stopped in his tracks. "Wu Dahai, tell me, what exactly are they planning?"

Wu Dahai trembled. "This servant is foolish and cannot fathom the thoughts of the court officials."

The Emperor snorted coldly, "A bunch of traitors!"

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. "Your Majesty, the Princess requests an audience."

"Let her in."

Qin Yunshang entered the imperial study: "Your Majesty, I heard you getting very angry outside. Such a rage is bad for your health."

The Emperor snorted coldly: "These court officials are all siding with Qin Jingyu, how can I not be angry?"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. The court officials may only be biased because of Father's dying wish."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, your ascension to the throne is legitimate. If Qin Jingyu harbors any disloyalty, he is a traitor and a villain, deserving of execution by everyone."

"Once we find the Emperor's will, he will become the rightful heir." The Emperor gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, his face filled with resentment and anger.

"Brother, perhaps Father didn't leave a will?"

Over the years, they have tried every court official they could think of who might have been entrusted with the late emperor's will, but they have not found one.

"Impossible, it must be true." The Emperor said with certainty.

"Since we are so certain, we should summon Ye Xiumu back."

"Why is my royal sister still so hung up on him?" The Emperor glanced at her sideways, a hint of mockery on his face.

"No, I only hate him. My feelings have been misplaced. Ye Xiumu will not get away unscathed."

Qin Yunshang's face instantly contorted, her eyes blazing with fury, and her teeth grinding together.