Chapter 145: with translation of chapter title

Pei Yunxi controlled the rhythm, making her kowtow look especially sincere, her forehead red and swollen, hairpins and jade hairpins scattered all over the floor, her hair disheveled.

The clear ding-dong sound fell in the tense atmosphere of the hall, especially loud.

"Please Father Emperor, forgive your subject!"

Her tears fell drop by drop, a sob caught in her throat, so pitiful.

Surely Father Emperor would soften now? Pei Yunxi thought anxiously.

"Rise." The Son of Heaven's voice seemed to lack any chill.

Pei Yunxi's hope gradually rose in her heart.

Frankly, it's no big deal—she didn't harm anyone? She just stole a prescription? What's the fuss?

The more Pei Yunxi thought, the more reasonable it seemed, and she couldn't help regretting that she had kowtowed until her forehead was red and swollen.

Even Mu Yuanzhi thought the Son of Heaven had been moved by Pei Yunxi's pitiful act and was about to let her off lightly.

Only see the Son of Heaven walk back to the imperial desk and pick up a brush.

Pei Yunxi and Mu Yuanzhi both thought the Son of Heaven would soon dismiss them, already ready to bow, but he said instead: "Yunxi, from this moment on, a unit of the Brave Martial Guard will follow you to the Xiao residence to protect your safety."

What does that mean?!

Not only did Pei Yunxi not understand, Mu Yuanzhi also didn't grasp it at once.

"Father Emperor, what does that mean?" Pei Yunxi asked cautiously.

The Son of Heaven lifted his brush to draft an edict, saying as he wrote: "You are no longer suited to live in the princess's mansion; since you have married into the Xiao family, you should reside there."

Pei Yunxi looked at Mu Yuanzhi in disbelief: "And what about elder sister?"

"Your elder sister still lives there."

"Until the Pingnan Wangfu is rebuilt?" Pei Yunxi asked again.

The Son of Heaven: "She can stay as long as she likes."

Pei Yunxi was struck by a bolt from the blue; she understood—this meant returning the princess's mansion to Mu Yuanzhi?!

No! No!

Then what am I?!

On what grounds drive her to the Xiao residence?!

"Father Emperor!"

Pei Yunxi still wanted to speak, but the Son of Heaven added: "When you enter or leave the Xiao residence, you must report to the Brave Martial Guard; without them accompanying you, do not go."

So these Brave Martial Guard aren't there to protect her but to surveil her?!

Pei Yunxi understood; she understood everything—though Father Emperor seemed not angry on the surface, he was actually furious, stripping her of her princess privileges!

Without the princess's mansion, her movements are restricted; what next? Will they also strip her of her title?

Just thinking of this, Pei Yunxi's heart panicked uncontrollably; for the first time she realized her standing in the Son of Heaven's heart was already precarious.

Perhaps one day she'll wake up and find herself back to being a penniless commoner!

Pei Yunxi furtively glanced at Mu Yuanzhi, clenching her palms.

Because Mu Yuanzhi is still here, Father Emperor feels he still has a daughter, so he does this; if only one daughter remained, that would truly be a treasure.

Pei Yunxi once again realized she must get rid of Mu Yuanzhi, and must do it decisively, with no room for error, otherwise the one with no way back would become her!

"I understand, subject..." Pei Yunxi wiped her tears and stood up.

Mu Yuanzhi was greatly surprised that the Son of Heaven would actually reduce Pei Yunxi's treatment; this mental blow to Pei Yunxi should be more shocking than physical punishment, even more unforgettable than dozens of lashes.

Good, it seems toppling Pei Yunxi won't be as hard as imagined.

After finishing the edict, the Son of Heaven lifted his head, his gaze falling on Mu Yuanzhi, revealing a long‑absent smile: "Yuanzhi, your prescription saved many people, solving for Me an urgent crisis; you deserve a great reward!"

He pondered what reward to give Mu Yuanzhi, then after a moment clapped his hands and said: "I will bestow upon this plague prescription the honorary title 'Zhi' medicine, so that your name will endure for eternity!"

This truly counts as an honor, to be recorded in the annals.

Mu Yuanzhi was about to give thanks when the Son of Heaven still had words unsaid: "I also want to erect a monument recording the plague‑eradication merit, inscribing your achievements so that all under heaven and future generations will remember!"

There's still more? What does the Son of Heaven mean by this?

Too much honor instead made Mu Yuanzhi feel uneasy.

But after a moment's thought she seemed to understand something; the Son of Heaven's gesture is likely more for show to other nations, proving they fear no mere plague.

Moreover, it is a demonstrative counterstrike against the Huangli State.

Although she feels the Prince of Pure Blood is mostly taking the blame this time, and the Huangli State is likely unaware.

But it doesn't prevent the Son of Heaven from wanting to show off a bit.

Even if it's incidental, the beneficiary is still her.

"I, your subject, thank Father Emperor for your grace!" Mu Yuanzhi bowed and expressed gratitude.

Pei Yunxi never imagined it would be so many and so complicated; she only felt the Son of Heaven was harshly slapping her face, using Mu Yuanzhi's name to label the medicine—isn't that just pointing at her nose and saying she's a thief unworthy?

And what's this about erecting a monument? Pah!

Pei Yunxi felt extremely unbalanced inside; this time she truly tried to steal a chicken and ended up losing the rice!

The clamor in the palace seems not to reach the Bureau of Astronomy; rather, it's as if someone inside the Bureau is fast asleep.

The returning National Teacher saw Gu Rongjin still in deep sleep.

The Tibetan incense had clearly burned out, yet he still wouldn't wake?

Unlike Pei Shangyan and Pei Shangling, who after resting on that dream‑plagued pillow suffer endless nightmares and need someone to strike them awake, Gu Rongjin, once asleep, is just like an ordinary person sleeping soundly.

He couldn't help but wonder what Gu Rongjin had dreamed of.

After about an incense stick's time, the bored National Teacher, propping his chin, asked: "What did you dream of, little Gu?"

Gu Rongjin seemed to hear his words, the corners of her lips twitching slightly.

Gu Rongjin seemed to have heard his words, the corners of her lips slightly curling up.

"What did you dream about?" the National Teacher asked again.

In the quiet space, the light words seemed to scatter with the wind as soon as they were spoken; twilight light from outside the window streamed in, falling on Gu Rongjin's face, which had returned to calm.

The National Teacher rose and moved to stand before Gu Rongjin.

Smack—!

A loud slap rang out, followed by an "ouch" complaint that shattered the tranquil atmosphere.

"Who dares to hit this young master?" Gu Rongjin exclaimed, touching his burning face with delighted surprise.

The National Teacher smiled: "Congratulations, Young Master Jin, on finally waking up; otherwise I thought you'd sleep yourself to death."

Gu Rongjin, puzzled, asked: "Did I have a nightmare?"

He had promised Yang Jianyu that if Gu Rongjin dreamed, he would fan him awake.

The National Teacher said frankly: "No, you slept very soundly."

"Then why did you hit me?!" Gu Rongjin snapped: "Are you jealous of my handsome, suave looks?"

National Teacher: "I just said I was afraid you'd sleep yourself to death."

"Fine, it's jealousy of me." Gu Rongjin understood; he said this while stretching, having slept very well.

The National Teacher asked eagerly: "What did you dream about?"

Upon hearing that, Gu Rongjin's face instantly showed a pained expression: "I dreamed of my little wife."

It seemed a bit miserable, but...