Xiang Minghou couldn’t help but say, "He’s in the spotlight now, but it’s hard to say if he’ll live to adulthood."

"That’s why I’ll need you to look after him more when you go to the palace in the future, Father." Ye Qianning wasn’t naive; she knew Sang Zhi’s situation was already precarious. It couldn’t get much worse than it already was.

"Why are you so invested in the Eighth Prince’s affairs? It won’t be easy to extricate yourself once you’re entangled in them." Having followed the emperor for many years, Xiang Minghou knew the temperament of the royals all too well.

"Sang Zhi’s wish is for the people to live in peace and prosperity. For someone so young, he’s incredibly broad-minded and has the realm’s best interests at heart. Father, it would be such a pity for a person like that to be overlooked."

First, Ye Qianning genuinely wanted to help Sang Zhi. Second, she was also doing it to save her own life.

’If the little stick-in-the-mud is happy, my good fortune will skyrocket. It’s a win-win situation, so why wouldn’t I do it?’

Xiang Minghou was deeply moved. Her words reminded him of his own youth. The nation needed people with such aspirations. If everyone were the same, how could Beili not grow powerful?

"Very well."

Ye Qianning’s face lit up. "Then from now on, Father, you must help him more from the shadows."

"Don’t celebrate too early. Outside of the academy, and in private when the Dean and I are not around, you are not to have too much contact with the Eighth Prince. Do you understand?" Xiang Minghou warned.

"Yes, yes, yes, I’ll keep that in mind." Ye Qianning hopped off her chair. "Father, Master, I’ll head back to my quarters now."

"Go on."

Ye Qianning headed out cheerfully. When she heard a meow, she turned to see White Spirit pawing at the bars of its cage, giving her a pitiful look.

’This blasted girl, she’s leaving without me!’

"Luo Wen, take it to Yuehua Small Building." ’Oh, whatever,’ she thought. ’I might as well keep it for now.’

—

Early the next morning, Dean Chen went to the palace. Ye Qianning began preparing some medicinal herbs, but she soon discovered one was missing.

Furong Grass. It was a medicinal herb used for improving eyesight that grew year-round in the high mountains. Though not considered precious, it was exceedingly hard to find.

Unsure if the pharmacies in the Capital City sold it, Ye Qianning found a sheet of rice paper, picked up a brush, and drew the shape of the Furong Grass.

"Du Yi, take this drawing to the pharmacies in the Capital City and ask if they sell it."

"Yes."

Du Yi took the rice paper and departed in a flash.

"Du Ying, bring the greatsword that was forged." She had yet to inspect it since its completion.

Du Ying came in shouldering the greatsword, its blade wrapped in a special cover.

"Be careful, Young Miss." Du Ying placed the greatsword on the table.

Ye Qianning reached out to lift it slightly. It was certainly heavy. A hundred and eight jin. She could lift it, but her small frame wasn’t suited for wielding it properly. It should be perfect for her father, though.

Ye Qianning unwrapped the cover from the blade. The greatsword was blindingly bright, and the sight of it alone was enough to make one shudder. It had a powerful aura and was incredibly sharp.

She reached out, stroking the hilt and tapping it with her small hand. The resulting sound was powerful and resonant.

"As expected of the number one blacksmith. The materials are a little lacking, but it’s a fine blade indeed," Ye Qianning praised. The greatsword also concealed a few hidden mechanisms.

’There’s no such thing as honor on the battlefield. All’s fair in war.’

Ye Qianning felt for one of the hidden mechanisms. With a slight twist of her hand—SWISH!—a silver needle shot out, pierced through the wall, and flew straight into a large tree in the courtyard.

’The power is decent, but it’s still a bit lacking.’

Du Ying looked on in astonishment; he had no idea the greatsword had such a feature.

Luo Wen ran over to inspect it. He circled the tree several times before the sunlight finally glinted off the very tip of the silver needle protruding from the other side. It had just barely managed to pierce all the way through the trunk.

"Young Miss, it went all the way through the tree!" Luo Wen reported excitedly as he came back inside.