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Lu Zhaoyan relied on how his master had become the head of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau at a young age, mainly to observe the stars at night and calculate fortunes.

Had it not been for his master’s early retirement, it would not have been his turn, the greenhorn, to take on the position.

Divination was just a side job, but unexpectedly, it became his main profession.

During this time, Lu Zhaoyan had returned to the mountain to accompany his master, and upon receiving the Imperial Edict, he hurried non-stop to the Capital.

After five days, he finally rushed back to the Capital and went straight to the Imperial Study Room.

Lu Zhaoyan stepped forward and bowed, "Your Majesty, you urgently summoned me back, what’s the matter?"

The Emperor frowned and said, "The Crown Prince has gone missing after falling from a cliff in Mobei. I want you to divine his fate and see what his current situation is."

"Your servant obeys the decree, however," Lu Zhaoyan paused for a moment before continuing, "Your servant is not proficient in divination and will need some time."

When it came to divination, he had not been involved for long, unlike stargazing that he practiced since childhood; he wouldn’t dare to speak boldly in front of the Emperor.

Although the Emperor was worried about the Crown Prince’s safety, he was also reasonable and nodded his agreement, "Don’t make me wait too long."

Lu Zhaoyan lowered his gaze modestly, "Your servant will calculate the result as quickly as possible."

The Emperor waved his hand, and Lu Zhaoyan left the Imperial Study Room.

Having been away from the palace for several months, Lu Zhaoyan didn’t expect the Crown Prince to encounter misfortune, even though he had earlier predicted that the Crown Prince would face a lethal calamity, which he thought had been averted.

Returning to his residence, he took out his books to start calculating the Crown Prince’s situation.

Though Lady Tao Liyuan had not been visiting frequently these days, she brought gifts every time she did.

This time, she took boiled corn with her to visit Shen Chuwei in the Study Room.

The corn seeds given by Shen Chuwei were planted on just one acre every year; scarcity made them expensive, and only the wealthy could afford them.

Due to its rarity, the wealthy used corn to entertain distinguished guests, signifying both esteem for the guests and flaunting their own financial strength.

Who could have imagined that a single bag of corn seeds would bring the Tao Family such a hefty profit?

Lady Tao Liyuan brought five thousand taels of gold to Shen Chuwei as her share of the profits.

Shen Chuwei had never seen so much gold in her life; five thousand taels of gold, not silver.

However, Shen Chuwei still refused because she had already said she would not take a share of the profits.

Upon Lady Tao Liyuan’s persistent persuasion, Shen Chuwei finally accepted the gold. Looking at the banknote for five thousand taels of gold, she felt a surge of confidence.

The corn at Xiyun Pavilion had ripened too, and Shen Chuwei sent some to the Empress and to Xiao Jinyu to taste the first batch of harvested corn.

"Lady Tao Liyuan, why did you send corn to Song Qing?" She asked because that day, Chun Xi had cooked corn, and Song Qing had eaten some...

Lady Tao Liyuan explained cheerfully, "Corn, the ’yu’ in ’yu mi’ sounds the same as in ’encounter’, it has a meaning."

Shen Chuwei realized that Tao Liyuan was truly dedicated to Song Qing, "Even with corn, Song Qing, smart as he is, might not guess the meaning, right?"

Tao Liyuan nonchalantly responded, "Then I will remind him."

Shen Chuwei nodded, curious about how Tao Liyuan would remind Song Qing.

As they entered the Study Room, Tao Liyuan approached Song Qing with the corn, wrapped in oiled paper and still warm.

"I brought two ears of corn to see you," Tao Liyuan said in one breath, her face turning red after speaking because it was too obvious, but she did not mind. She had even written love letters; there was nothing to fear!

Song Qing looked puzzled at Tao Liyuan.

Seeing that he stared without speaking, Tao Liyuan placed the two ears of corn on his desk, "I hope you will like them."

Then she turned and left.

Shen Chuwei watched Tao Liyuan and Song Qing and saw Tao Liyuan leave the corn and depart. She then saw Song Qing, completely baffled.

When Tao Liyuan came over, Shen Chuwei asked curiously, "Why didn’t you say more?"

Tao Liyuan glanced back at Song Qing, who was staring at the corn, "He’s so clever, he should understand."

Shen Chuwei: "...But some scholars might focus all their cleverness on their studies."

Er!!!

"Surely not?" Tao Liyuan looked back at Song Qing again and saw him writing.

Shen Chuwei said, "Hard to say."

After writing, Song Qing put down the Vermilion Brush and looked at the line on the paper, silently repeating to himself, "I brought two ears of corn to see you, I hope you will like them."

*

When Xiao Jinyu returned to Qian Cheng Hall, he happened to meet the little bunny delivering corn. He had tasted the corn before; its sweetness was good.

He took the corn and walked into Hanyu Pavilion; as soon as he entered, he saw his wife watering the flowers with a pot.

These days, Miss Han had been fond of sleeping, but she started to feel better these past two days and came out to water the flowers.

Xiao Jinyu strode over, wrapped his arms around his wife’s slender waist, raised the corn in his hand with a beaming smile, and said, "Sister-in-law sent over some corn, and it’s still warm. Try some."

Miss Han looked at the corn in Xiao Jinyu’s hand, steaming and immediately exuding an alluring fragrance.

"Smells good."

Xiao Jinyu took the watering can from her hand and placed it on a table nearby, then led his wife inside.

Once inside, Xiao Jinyu sat down with his wife on the couch, opened the oiled paper wrap, and handed a corn cob to his wife, "Eat it while it’s hot, it’s exceptionally delicious."

"Mm." Miss Han took a bite of the corn near her lips. The corn was tender, juicy, and sweet, tasting very good.

Xiao Jinyu bit into a cob and didn’t forget to share the afternoon’s schedule with his wife.

"I have to leave the palace in a bit. Top Scholar Song is going to a matchmaking event, and I have to spoil it. Do you want to come out with me for a change of scenery?"

Miss Han, munching on her corn, was uninterested in spoiling someone else’s matchmaking.

"No need, you go ahead."

Xiao Jinyu felt heartache thinking about his wife staying in the deep palace, falling into depression...

"I’ve noticed you’re becoming lazier by the day, not even wanting to go outside. Is it because you’ve been in the palace for too long?"

Miss Han paused in her action of biting the corn, lifted her head to look at the man beside her, and saw concern filling his eyes. She smiled faintly, "I just like it quiet, and besides, as long as you’re in the palace, I don’t mind staying here as long as I like."

Moved by her words, Xiao Jinyu exclaimed, "Ayan, you’re too good."

Miss Han laughed lightly, "Let’s eat the corn."

Xiao Jinyu couldn’t help but take a few more glances at his wife when he saw her smile, as she rarely did.

"Mm, sister-in-law said that corn is coarse grain and eating more of it is beneficial."

After finishing the corn, Xiao Jinyu fawned over his wife for a good while before reluctantly leaving the palace.

On the bustling streets of the Capital, those coming and going from Wuzi Inn were officials and nobles. It was said that the person behind the scenes was someone from the palace, and ordinary people could hardly get in.

Song Qing disliked this kind of matchmaking, but given the peer pressure and having already refused once, it wasn’t nice to decline again, so he showed up.

He walked into the reserved private room, where Song Qing saw only three people inside: the prime minister and two young ladies.

Song Qing stepped forward to pay his respects, "This official pays his respects to the prime minister."

The prime minister said cheerfully, "There’s no need for formalities, Top Scholar Song. Please sit down and let’s talk."

Song Qing nodded and took a seat at the square table.

The prime minister happily introduced the two daughters at his side, "Top Scholar Song, these are my two daughters, my eldest daughter Xinyue, sweet sixteen, and my second daughter Xinlian, sweet fifteen."

Song Qing nodded with a smile to acknowledge the introduction.

Meanwhile, in the private room next door, another matchmaking encounter was taking place.

Xun Qingqing held her teacup, utterly bored as she sipped her tea; it was her eighteenth matchmaking attempt since she got home, and she was almost depressed by the constant pressure to marry.

Her family wasn’t in need of her contribution, so why insist on forcing her to marry?

The man sitting opposite her was the new top scholar, around 23 years old, not as tall as Jun Wuxian, and not as sturdy as Jun Wuxian, and quite lacking in looks compared to him as well.

If she were to marry him, it would be a big discount on the good looks gene for the next generation. What’s the use of him being a top scholar then?

The man by Xun Qingqing’s side was her younger brother, Xun Changfeng, who had been her companion for every matchmaking event, with dashing and handsome looks.

After drinking three cups of tea, Xun Qingqing felt her brother Xun Changfeng kick her leg gently, indicating for her to make a decision.

"Top Scholar, you’re very accomplished, but I have a tendency toward violence. We’re not suitable for each other. You will meet a gentle woman," Xun Qingqing said, managing to offer an embarrassed but polite smile.

The top scholar had been quite satisfied with Xun Qingqing, as both her looks and family background suited him; he was a top scholar, a perfect match in terms of status.

But he was rejected...

Xun Changfeng thought to himself that not only was his sister not fond of the scholar, but he didn’t approve of him either. Couldn’t he at least be taller than him? And if not handsome as no other, then at least somewhat attractive?

Yet the scholar was none of those.

After Xun Qingqing had expressed her stance, they didn’t stay long and left the private room.

Xun Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief; finally, she could go home.

Xun Changfeng pointed to the private room next door, grinning mischievously, "Sis, do you know who’s matchmaking next door?"

Xun Qingqing, out of instinct, thought it was a case of mutual misery, "Who? Is it someone who’s old and having a hard time getting married?"

"It doesn’t matter whether they’re easy or not to marry. The point is, the one inside is the newly appointed Top Scholar. Let’s go join the fun, maybe you’ll catch the top scholar’s eye?"