My brother entrusted his child to me, and I livestreamed raising the baby, making the Empress cry wi

The slap resounded crisply in the air above the Hall of Supreme Harmony square, startling the bronze bells on the eaves into a buzzing hum.

Everyone held their breath for a moment.

Yao Jingyuan's head was knocked to one side, and his left cheek swelled up at a visible speed, with five clear finger marks appearing. The burning pain shot from his skin straight to his heart.

His hands, hanging by his sides, clenched instantly, his knuckles cracking, his fingernails almost digging into his palms.

That damn stupid woman! She slapped him in the face in public again!

The raging anger surging in his chest was as hot as lava, making his throat tight.

But he clenched his teeth and forcefully suppressed the fire within him.

No!

Now is not the time to turn against each other.

He hasn't yet obtained the most crucial military power; he needs time.

Once he obtains the military command, once he replaces all the key departments with his own people—

When the time comes, he will repay the humiliation he suffered today a thousandfold!

These thoughts flashed through Yao Jingyuan's mind.

When he looked up again, the anger on his face had completely disappeared, replaced by his usual submissive and aggrieved expression, with his eyes even slightly reddening.

"Your Majesty..." His voice trembled, "I do not know where I have offended Your Majesty..."

"You don't know?! You dare to play dumb!"

Shu Jingwei pointed at his nose, her fingertips trembling, her voice so sharp it almost tore her throat apart.

"Who gave you permission to come out?! Who gave you the audacity to handle state affairs?! These—"

She turned around abruptly, her gaze sweeping across the large group of unfamiliar faces kneeling on the ground like a knife, her eyes filled with disgust and anger.

"What are all these things?! Where is Chen Youfang?! Where is Du Mingyi?! Where are my old ministers?!"

Yao Jingyuan lowered his head, his voice filled with fear: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. You have been unconscious for three days, and state affairs have piled up. Several officials are worried about the affairs of the country, but they also fear disturbing Your Majesty, so they humbly request that I temporarily handle the urgent matters."

He paused, his tone becoming even more submissive: "Minister Chen, Minister Du, and several other officials are advanced in years. On the Lantern Festival… they overworked themselves, and their old ailments flared up. They have already submitted petitions to retire. As for these others…"

He turned slightly to the side, pointing to the unfamiliar faces, and said in a calm and unhurried voice: "They are selected from among the candidates for official positions and those with outstanding performance in local assessments, in accordance with the old practice, to temporarily fill vacant positions in order to maintain the operation of the court."

Shu Jingwei stared intently at him, her gaze like nails piercing his face.

It seems they are judging whether his words are true or false.

But Yao Jingyuan's face showed no sign of betrayal, still displaying the same cautiousness filled with grievance and affection.

Shu Jingwei stared at that face for a long time.

But then I suddenly remembered another face.

Ye Fan.

Ye Fan would refute her ideas, argue with her, and make her so angry that she would slam her fist on the table, but he would never replace someone without asking her anything.

Although he had the ability back then, he never overstepped her boundaries and made decisions for her.

And she never felt that she lacked any control over the court.

As she pondered this, she sighed inwardly.

Ye Fan has already disappeared, what's the point of thinking about these things?

She didn't look at Yao Jingyuan again, and turned to walk towards the dragon throne that had just been placed in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

His steps were still unsteady, but his back was ramrod straight.

She didn't believe Yao Jingyuan's words in her heart.

But she wanted to see if this dog, who used to bark at her for bones, would actually dare to bite its master.

If they really have the guts, then kill them!

Shu Jingwei didn't mention sending him back to solitary confinement, and Yao Jingyuan was happy not to bring it up either, so he casually sat down in the seat below Shu Jingwei.

He knew Shu Jingwei wouldn't believe his story, but so what?

Yao Jingyuan believed that nearly half of the people in the court were now his men, and that Shu Jingwei was afraid of him and dared not touch him, which was enough.

With their own thoughts in mind, the two of them raised their heads together and looked up at the sky.

……

On the sky, Xiao Douzi had already gotten up and washed up. She was sitting at the dining table, holding a spoon in her hand, with milk and oatmeal porridge in her bowl.

She scooped up the last spoonful and stuffed it into her mouth, her cheeks bulging. Seeing Lin Ye come out, she mumbled, "Good morning, Godfather!"

"Good morning." Lin Ye walked over, sat down opposite her, and wiped the milk off her lips. "Little Douzi, your godfather is taking you somewhere today."

"Where are we going?" Little Douzi tilted his head, and his tuft of hair tilted to the side as well.

"Kindergarten," Lin Ye said with a smile, "Let's go see where Xiao Douzi will go to school in the future."

Little Douzi's eyes lit up: "Go to school? Can Little Douzi go to school too?"

She was well past the age of formal education, but before that, no one in the palace ever suggested that she go to school.

"Of course you can." Lin Ye reached out and gently patted her head.

"And there will be many other children at school. Xiaodouzi can learn and play with them."

Little Douzi thought for a moment, then asked, "Then... what if they don't like Little Douzi?"

Lin Ye picked her up, looked into her eyes, and said softly and earnestly, "Little Douzi is such a good girl, who wouldn't like her?"

Little Douzi exhaled, smiled shyly with her lips pursed, and nodded vigorously.

Lin Ye carried the little boy out of the villa and got into the Bentley as usual.

The car drove smoothly out of Fengshuiyuan, through the bustling city streets, and finally stopped in front of a building that looked like a fairy tale castle.

Soaring spires, stained glass windows, meticulously manicured lawns and flowerbeds, and wrought iron gates adorned with delicate vines and cartoon patterns.

At the top are five large characters: "Golden Sun Kindergarten".

Music and children's laughter drifted from inside.

"Godfather...this is a school?" Little Douzi's voice was soft, filled with disbelief and surprise. "The school looks like a castle?"

"Yes, this is where Xiaodouzi will go to school from now on." Lin Ye smiled and ruffled her hair. "Duoduo will also go to school here."

Little Douzi's eyes lit up.

Sister Duoduo! She made a new friend yesterday!

The car drove in and stopped in front of the main building.

A gentle and beautiful female teacher came forward. She was wearing a light blue dress, her long hair was draped over her shoulders, and she had a very elegant smile.

She bowed slightly to Lin Ye as he got out of the car: "Hello, Mr. Lin. The principal told me that you would like to bring your child for a tour first, right? Please follow me."

Lin Ye nodded and got out of the car with Xiao Douzi in his hand.

Little Douzi shyly hid beside Lin Ye's legs, only showing half of her face, curiously looking at everything around her.

"This must be little Ling'er, right? She's so cute."

The female teacher squatted down, looked at Xiaodouzi at eye level, and smiled warmly.

"My name is Su Wanwan. You can call me Teacher Su or Teacher Wanwan. Welcome to our 'Golden Sun' Kindergarten."

"Hello, Teacher Wanwan..." Xiao Douzi greeted softly, her little hands tightly gripping Lin Ye's trouser leg.

Su Wanwan responded softly, her eyes filled with tenderness as she looked at the adorable little boy.

He then took the two of them to their classroom.

"Considering your daughter's special circumstances, if she is to enroll, we would like her to first be placed in the class that Duoduo is in."

As she walked, Ms. Su explained in a gentle voice, "Having a familiar friend to guide her will help her adapt more quickly. If she feels it's not suitable later, we can adjust accordingly."

Lin Ye nodded in agreement.

The classroom was spacious and bright, with sunlight streaming in through the large glass windows, casting a golden glow on the floor.

The walls were painted a warm pale yellow and covered with children's imaginative drawings.

A row of low bookshelves, filled with picture books, sits by the window.

A soft carpet was laid out in the middle, and a dozen children were sitting together, listening to another teacher tell a story.

Duoduo spotted the little bag by the door at a glance and waved excitedly at her.

"Children, we have a new friend in our class today!" Teacher Su clapped her hands, attracting the children's attention.

"Her name is Ye Ling'er. Let's give Ling'er a round of applause!"

The children looked curiously at their new friend, who was wearing a pretty dress and looked like a porcelain doll, and clapped enthusiastically.

A few of the more lively kids were already whispering among themselves: "She's so pretty!" "She has such big eyes!"

Xiao Douzi's face flushed red. She was at a loss, twisting the hem of her skirt with her fingers and curling her toes inside her shoes.

Duoduo immediately ran over, grabbed her hand, her palm warm: "Ling'er, come, sit next to me!"

Xiao Douzi was pulled by her and sat in the empty seat next to Duo Duo.

Two little girls huddled together at a small table, heads close together, whispering secrets to each other.

The teacher started the lesson, teaching pinyin and Chinese characters, and Xiao Douzi followed along attentively.

Duoduo secretly pinched her hand from the side. She held back her laughter, but her eyes curved into crescent moons.

During recess, the children all ran to the activity area to play.

The little boy followed along attentively, his mouth wide open, his voice clear and crisp.

Duoduo secretly pinched her hand from the side. She tried not to laugh out loud, but her eyes curved into crescents and she couldn't suppress the smile.

During recess, the children all ran to the activity area to play.

Laughter filled the air on the slide, in the sandpit, and on the little rocking horse.

Little Douzi sat on the swing, his hands gripping the iron chain tightly, his legs dangling in mid-air and swinging back and forth.

Duoduo stood behind her and gave her a hard push.

"Wow--"

The swing began to swing, higher and higher.

Xiao Douzi's hair flew up, and that tuft of hair stuck up high, like a little flag waving in the wind.

The wind whistled past my ears, carrying the scent of grass and flowers.

She laughed so hard her eyes disappeared.

Xiao Douzi thinks—

Going to school is great.

The school is really great.

There is a kind teacher, her friend Duoduo, and many, many other children.

They talked to her, laughed with her, and played with her.

No one bullied her, no one scolded her, and no one hit her.

Here, she can laugh freely, run freely, and speak loudly.

She glanced back at Lin Ye, who was standing at the classroom door.

He was standing with his hands in his pockets, smiling as he looked at her. Sunlight fell on his shoulders, giving him a golden glow.

Little Douzi laughed along with him.

That smile was more radiant than spring flowers.

……

Meanwhile, in the Great Flame Kingdom, inside the royal palace and academy...

It's also a school.

The atmosphere here is completely different from that of the "castle kindergarten" in the sky.