Episode 5

Shen Du thanked Xu Wan, but Xu Wan revealed that someone else was helping with the matter.She reminded Shen Du softly that the Empress Dowager knew that it was not easy and told him to proceed with caution.When Shen Du returned from the palace, Jing Lin suddenly realized that Yan Xing had cleverly used him. He was even more surprised that Yan Xing's handwriting was strikingly similar to his, and he couldn't help but admire Yan Xing even more.

Xiao Zhong received the order from the Empress Dowager and immediately set off for Fengxiang Mansion to investigate. After only making hasty arrangements, he embarked on the journey.Yan Xing was worried about Shen Du's safety. When he was worried, a strange maid brought lotus seed soup, and her behavior made Yan Xing suspicious.When the cover was lifted, cryptic writing appeared on it, which turned out to be a secret invitation code.

At the appointment place, Yan Xing unexpectedly met with Prime Minister Zhang.Prime Minister Zhang got straight to the point and asked about the Yan family's position, implying that the Empress Dowager suspected that Xiao Zhong was the mastermind behind the nursery rhyme and wanted to punish him.Zhang Xiang's words were interspersed with the court affairs to test Yan Xing's attitude, while Yan Xing was modest about being a female and avoided talking about political affairs.

However, Zhang Xiang has learned about the Shen family's flying pigeon delivering messages, forcing Yan Xing to get involved deeper and explore the secret behind the mysterious carrier pigeon.

When Yan Xing returned home, Shen Du stopped her and mentioned the forgery of documents. His words were full of worry, fearing that she might accidentally get into trouble.Yan Xing smiled bitterly and explained that he only wanted to save people from fire and water, and he made this move out of desperation.In the dark of night, the man in black quietly threw down the document, and the poor scholar got it. He was indignant and believed that the road to the imperial examination was only paved for the powerful. This news quickly spread to the ears of the Empress Dowager, causing an uproar.

When the Empress Dowager was furious, Princess Yong'an proposed an innovative move, advocating that poor families compete with officials' children and select the best.As soon as this statement came out, there was a lot of discussion in the court, and Lord Xiang even bluntly opposed it. The two sides were tit for tat, and the atmosphere was tense.

Shen Du took the opportunity to report on the progress of the self-immolation case. Although he had made some gains, the truth was still shrouded in mystery.In order to appease the people, the Empress Dowager decided to open schools so that children from poorer families could have the opportunity to receive education.

Yan Xing cared deeply about Chen Shusheng's family. He often visited his grandmother and read his grandson's works to the old man, in order to comfort the old man's lonely heart.Shen Du saw this scene by chance and was deeply touched by Yan Xing's insistence on fairness and justice.After returning home, Shen Du informed Yan Xing about the admission of students from poor families. She was overjoyed and praised Shen Du profusely.

In the dead of night, Yan Xing insisted on running to help her fall asleep. Seeing this, Shen Du considerately asked the housekeeper to reduce the light in the room so as not to disturb her rest.Jing Lin reported on the progress of the case and mentioned that the deceased were all musicians and their hairpins were extravagant.

Yan Xing was suspicious, so he and Shen Du explored the source of the hairpin, and found that the price was too high and beyond the reach of ordinary people.Further investigation revealed the people under Princess Yong'an's command. Shen Du had a premonition that Princess Yong'an was about to find Yan Xing.Sure enough, Jing Lin urgently reported that Princess Yong'an warmly invited Yan Xing to enjoy the flowers, and an undercurrent meeting was about to begin.

Yan Xing stepped into the flower viewing banquet, and his ears were filled with the whispers of women.In an accident, the maid accidentally spilled tea and soiled her dress.Mrs. Tang reached out to help at the right time, leading Yan Xing to his boudoir to change clothes, and preparing a medicinal spring and hot spring for her.While changing clothes, Yan Xing was keenly aware that Mrs. Tang's body was also lingering with the familiar fragrance outside the temple, and even caught a glimpse of the strange pattern on the back of her neck, which made her more suspicious.

During the chat, Mrs. Tang mentioned the trivial matters of the Liang family and the discord between the eldest couple. Yan Xing took the opportunity to hint that no matter how deep the secret was hidden, the truth would eventually come out.At the flower viewing banquet, Yan Xing waited patiently for Princess Yong'an until she was seen two hours later.The princess' words seemed to have deep meaning, warning Yan Xing not to cross the line. Her eyes were even more focused on the hairpin given by Shen Du, and her behavior revealed hostility that could not be ignored.

Shen Du appeared at the right time to save Yan Xing from the embarrassing situation.Seeing that Yan Xing had been sitting on his knees for a long time, his legs were shaking, and he was heartbroken, so he resigned on the grounds of family matters. Regardless of the presence of Princess Yong'an, he gently picked up Yan Xing and left.On the way, Yan Xing wanted to express his gratitude to Shen Du, but he gently resolved the problem with his gentle words. There was no need for words between the two of them, and they had a tacit understanding.Shen Du had already had a premonition that entering the palace would not be easy for Yan Xing, but he always guarded her silently, just to protect her.