"Brothers, tell me, what should we do?" Madam Huangfu looked at Huangfu She, then at Huangfu Zheng.
To be honest, Huangfu She felt little affection for her adoptive father. Although she had been adopted into the family, their bond had always been weak, likely due to the lack of blood ties.
In his mind, if his adoptive father died, he would inherit seventy percent of the Huangfu family’s wealth—a massive fortune. However, he knew he could not act on this desire. He could not refuse his adoptive mother’s request to heal his father. He had to maintain the appearance of being a filial son to the outside world. Until they made a move against him, he could not strike first.
"Tomorrow, I will go to the estate to inventory some grain. I’ll bring back two carts first, and then start distributing porridge at the city gates every day starting the day after tomorrow," Huangfu She said quickly.
Since she had decided to play the role of a good son on the surface, Huangfu She did not mind continuing to wear that mask.
"Then I will find some doctors tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, they can provide free medical consultations and medicine to the refugees outside the city," Huangfu Zheng said after thinking for a moment.
Madam Huangfu nodded. "Good. You two prepare tomorrow. I will also tidy up here. I’ll have someone sort out some unused fabrics from before and have them sewn into clothes quickly. I will personally deliver them to the disaster victims the day after tomorrow."
Madam Huangfu remembered what Zhu Yanyi had said: she could not just do things for show; she had to do them with a sincere heart. Thus, she made her decision. Although she was reluctant, she forced herself to act.
"Mother, do we need to pay respects to those two fairies?" Huangfu She asked.
Madam Huangfu waved her hand slightly. "I will ask them tomorrow. They are fairies, people beyond the mundane world. We commoners cannot see them without their permission, or we might cause trouble."
Although Madam Huangfu disliked her eldest son, she did not want to offend Zhu Yanyi and her companion. Therefore, she still needed to ask for their opinion.
"Yes," Huangfu She agreed immediately.
After returning to his study in the front courtyard, a sinister smile appeared on Huangfu She’s lips. He thought for a moment, then rotated a candlestick on the side table. A secret passage appeared, and he hurriedly left.
The person Huangfu She went to see was the current State Preceptor. No one knew the State Preceptor’s name or origin. It was said that twenty years ago, when a drought struck Dayu, the State Preceptor appeared and successfully prayed for rain, thus becoming the State Preceptor.
"State Preceptor, two fairies came to our house today. According to my grandmother, they are fairies from the Sage Academy above, whom she prayed for," Huangfu She said respectfully.
The State Preceptor raised an eyebrow slightly. "Sage Academy? Interesting. I didn’t expect them to send anyone. Let them come. Just don’t provoke them."
Huangfu She looked confused. "Do you mean they will leave on their own?"
"The Sage Academy is famous for medicine. Your grandmother asked them to come simply to heal your adoptive father. Rest assured, I know people like them. They do not interfere much in worldly matters. Their purpose is to save lives. Once your adoptive father is healed, they will naturally leave," the State Preceptor said calmly.
Huangfu She breathed a sigh of relief. "Then I am relieved. I will take my leave now."
"Hmm," the State Preceptor nodded and waved his hand, dismissing Huangfu She.
At this moment, Zhu Yanyi did not know that Huangfu She had met the State Preceptor and reported their arrival. They had been resting in their room until evening.
Seeing that the time was right, Zhu Yanyi said, "It’s about time. Let’s go."
Yuan Yanqiu looked at the darker sky outside. "I can’t even see the moon here. I remember today is the tenth day of the month. There should be a moon."
Zhu Yanyi smiled lightly. "Places with dark hearts have no light."
The two jumped onto the roof, confirmed their direction, and flew toward the imperial palace.
For cultivators, flying was a basic skill. Once one reached the Foundation Establishment stage, they could fly. However, Zhu Yanyi had spent a lot of time learning it initially. Because she had flying vehicles and boats, she rarely practiced flying sincerely. Fortunately, Yan Aohan had insisted she learn it properly.
Upon reaching a roof in the imperial palace, Zhu Yanyi and Yuan Yanqiu scanned the area with their spiritual sense and immediately knew where the emperor was.
"This emperor doesn’t seem so bad," Yuan Yanqiu said, noticing that the emperor was reviewing memorials.
Zhu Yanyi shrugged. "I don’t know if she’s bad or not. Anyway, we’ll find out by asking." After confirming the target, Zhu Yanyi went first, and Yuan Yanqiu followed closely.
Their speed was incredibly fast. Even though there were eunuchs and guards in the emperor’s study, Zhu Yanyi and Yuan Yanqiu moved so quickly that they froze everyone in place instantly.
The emperor saw two young women appear out of nowhere in his study and his expression changed slightly. "Who are you?"
"Do you want to hear the truth?" Zhu Yanyi asked kindly.
The emperor could see that the eyes of the two women who had suddenly appeared were upright, but he still nodded cautiously.
"If you want the truth, fine," Zhu Yanyi nodded, explaining kindly. "Actually, we came here to beat you up."
"Beat me? Why?" The emperor was confused. He didn’t remember offending these two girls.
Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow. "Because of the natural disasters and human calamities outside. Because of the continuous disasters. Because of the rotting meat and wine in the rich gates while people freeze to death on the roads."
"I say, Emperor of Dayu, you look so diligent and presentable. You don’t seem bad. So why have you made your Dayu Dynasty so hated by heaven and people? Do you know that if this continues, your dynasty will fall within ten years?"
"No, impossible. The State Preceptor told me that the country is prosperous and the people are at peace," the young emperor said with a naive expression.
Zhu Yanyi finally understood. So this is how a tyrant is made—a foolish ruler who knows nothing.
"Is what the State Preceptor says always true? Have you ever checked for yourself?" Zhu Yanyi looked at the young emperor.
The emperor shook his head slightly. "The State Preceptor said that as long as I attend court every day, review memorials, and work hard, the country will be fine."
Zhu Yanyi and Yuan Yanqiu exchanged a glance. It seemed this emperor was not truly a tyrant, but simply unaware of the truth. Seeing this, Zhu Yanyi felt she could still have a tiny bit of hope for her.