Chapter 26

Liu Changning woke up a bit late on the second day.

Because of the new bedding from yesterday, although the bed frame no longer dug into her bones, the thick bedding laid underneath was somewhat stuffy.

Her body felt hot, and she slept restlessly at night, waking up several times.

So on the second morning, she rarely slept in for a while.

Liu Changning put on her clothes and pushed open the wooden door of the firewood room. Outside, everything was gray and dusty, with the sky gloomy as if a rainstorm was approaching.

There was no movement from the room of her bargain husband next door, as usual, he had gone out early.

He had always been mysterious, like a dragon showing its head but not its tail.

Liu Changning didn’t find it strange. After washing up, seeing the sky heavily overcast with an impending storm, she abandoned the thought of going to the mountains.

The air was humid, and with just a little movement, her body was covered in sweat.

Liu Changning looked displeased as she moved out a rocking chair, placed it under the old locust tree, and lazily lay down on it.

Beside her were two books bought from the bookstore yesterday, along with a plate of osmanthus cake.

She had the habit of eating breakfast. Now that her bargain husband wasn’t home, she settled for the osmanthus cake bought yesterday, eating it with hot water while holding a book, browsing through the human geography of this era.

The political and economic development level of the Golden Phoenix Dynasty was similar to that of the Song Dynasty in China.

The imperial court had just undergone changes, having experienced three generations of empresses.

The previous empress, Yongtai Emperor, only had one emperor consort and one serving gentleman in the harem, resulting in few offspring – two sons and one daughter.

The eldest imperial child and the current empress were born to the previous emperor consort, while the second prince’s father was unknown.

It was said that when Empress Yongtai traveled south to Jianghuai, she met a man at the Ten Miles Peach Blossom Temple. They fell in love at first sight, had a secret affair, and later gave birth to a boy, who became the second prince.

The empress brought this boy born in Jiangnan back to Jinling City, placed him under the name of the imperial serving gentleman, and pampered him greatly.

There’s a common saying that parents love their youngest child. Perhaps because of this, although Yongtai Emperor was strict with her eldest son, she doted excessively on this adopted youngest son. Even when she had a daughter in her old age, she still gave all her affection to the second son.

In the 15th year of Yongtai, Empress Xiaoxian passed away unexpectedly. As the young daughter was still small, she specially ordered the eldest imperial child to rule with compassion.

Speaking of which, this eldest imperial child was also a rare talent in governance. She controlled the court for two years, rectifying discipline, pacifying internal and external affairs, governing diligently for the people. Although her methods were harsh and she was strict, she pushed the entire Golden Phoenix Dynasty towards an unprecedented prosperous era.

However, good times didn’t last long. Three years ago, the eldest imperial child fell from a horse unexpectedly, her temperament changed drastically, and she kept numerous male concubines in her mansion, indulging in the pleasures of men uncontrollably.

With no one to control the court, and the empress being young and unable to intimidate the officials, the capital Jinling was in turmoil for a time, with factions and private interests rampant in the court, and undercurrents flowing constantly.

Fortunately, the grandson of the three-dynasty elder statesman, Grand Tutor Jia, entered the harem.

The old Grand Tutor personally came out of retirement to preside over the court. This finally brought the entire court under control. However, due to insufficient motivation among the people and the complex factions among officials, the court was not stable.

While her bargain husband was away, Liu Changning roughly browsed through this “History of Golden Phoenix Dynasty Court Changes”. The original host was illiterate, and if that man knew she could read, it would be another source of trouble.

The other day at the inn, when she took out a picture book, he had looked at her two or three times more.

Now she could only take advantage of his absence to understand the political changes of this era.

If she wanted to get rid of her commoner status in the future, the imperial examination would be the only way out. After all, among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, scholars were at the top of the social hierarchy in this dynasty.

To live comfortably in this dynasty, passing the imperial examination and becoming an official was almost the only way to improve one’s social status.

Liu Changning squinted her eyes as she looked at the dilapidated old house of the original host, her brows slightly furrowed. When she woke up this morning, her skin had whitened by three shades.

Unexpectedly, the moonlight here was too pure, and the effect of meditation was much better than in her second life. Yesterday’s skin change reminded her that she might not be able to control the timing of her facial changes.

Although it wasn’t noticeable now, after a long time, people might become suspicious.

Most importantly, this place was not suitable for long-term residence, with dilapidated houses and a damp environment.

Liu Changning rubbed her pointed chin, already having a plan in mind.

She probably couldn’t stay in Xiqiao Village anymore.

After going to the back mountain a few more times to exchange herbs for some travel money, it would be time for her to leave.

As for her bargain husband, she would give him one more month. After all, from what he had hinted, he was also about to leave.

The two of them would eventually part ways, so accompanying him for a month would fulfill the sentiment of their cohabitation.

Outside, there was thunder and lightning, but the rain drops were slow to fall. The sky was dark and gloomy, making it unbearably stuffy.

Liu Changning held a cattail leaf fan, but despite fanning constantly, the sweat on her forehead had already soaked her entire back.

She frowned in irritation, just about to go to the washroom to wash her face.

Suddenly, there came a series of urgent knocks on the door outside.

Liu Changning’s eyes flashed with surprise. She went inside to wash her face before walking slowly to the door.

The wooden door opened.

At the bottom of the steps of the old house stood a middle-aged couple.

Liu Changning scanned the visitors, her eyes narrowing slightly.

She had guessed it might be her bargain husband’s romantic entanglements coming to the door, but unexpectedly, the two standing at the door now were the original host’s own trouble.

The two at the door were the original host’s closest relatives, her second aunt and uncle.