There is a common saying, "blessings don't come in pairs, misfortunes never come alone." Just yesterday, Pei Rusong had thought, 'There is nothing more terrifying in this world than an assassination attempt in the middle of a grand wedding.' As it turned out, something even more terrifying appeared today.

His expression must have been truly awful, as Wen Chan kindly comforted him, "Don't be nervous. Perhaps just one small step has led to a different outcome from our past life. Our guesses might not be the final word. Besides, so what if an enemy from our past life has been reborn? People can be killed, and we can handle whatever comes our way. There's nothing to be afraid of."

Pei Rusong: "..."

The logic sounded fine, but it didn't seem to have much of a comforting effect.

Wen Chan said slowly, "Knowing the future and changing the future are two different things. There are far too many things in this world that one knows yet cannot accomplish. Just like this assassination attempt—so what if he knew we would pass by that day and arranged for assassins in advance? In the end, didn't he still fail?"

Pei Rusong couldn't help but ask humbly, "But what if every step of our future is obstructed by the other party?"

"Which step did we take in our past life that wasn't obstructed?" Wen Chan retorted. "What do you think is the advantage of us having lived one more life than others?"

"To foresee danger, to salvage failures... to avoid the mistakes we once made?"

"To put it in a nutshell, it's about making the right choices, isn't it?" Wen Chan said. "Since we are on the right path, open and honorable, what is there to fear? Anyone who dares to block my path must be prepared to be struck by lightning, because I have a clear conscience. I will not falter."

Pei Rusong sucked in a cold breath, feeling his heartbeat beginning to spin out of his control, racing wildly in a chaotic direction.

"Your Highness... when did you think of all this?" he asked softly. "After the assassination attempt yesterday?"

The carriage gradually slowed, turning into a street. The main gate of the Pei Manor was already in sight, crowded with servants who had come out to welcome them.

Wen Chan closed the carriage curtain, calmly tidied her clothes, and adopted the faint, smiling expression she habitually used when dealing with others. She placed her hand in Pei Rusong's palm.

"It was when I met you at the Grand Princess Manor."

Imperial Palace, Xuanzheng Palace.

The hall was filled with the tense atmosphere of an approaching storm, somber and heavy. Crown Prince Wen Li, Prince of Yue Wen Cong, and officials from The Three Judicial Offices, the Imperial Guard, and the Capital Prefecture all stood with their hands lowered at the bottom of the steps. The Emperor sat before the imperial desk, his face as black as the bottom of a pot, his roars echoing throughout the entire palace: "In broad daylight, assassins attacked on the street during the Princess's grand wedding! What is the Capital Prefecture paid for? The Imperial Guard was a complete mess! The court spends its gold and silver to support so many people, yet not a single one proved useful in a time of crisis. It was the Prince Consort and the Princess's own attendants who drew their swords to resist and prevented them from succeeding! How do you all still have the face to stand before me, huh?!"

Along with a heavy slam on the desk, the brushes, ink, and memorials on it jumped. Everyone in the hall immediately knelt to beg for forgiveness, saying in unison, "May Your Majesty quell your anger."

Even though everyone knew in their hearts that this matter was purely an accident, no one dared to step forward and dissuade the Emperor when he was determined to vent his anger. Wen Chan was the Late Empress's only daughter. Even the various consorts in the rear palace had no say in her marriage; it was entirely managed by the Emperor himself. Who could have imagined that a grand wedding, so meticulously chosen and prepared, which could have been a celebrated tale, would end up leaving such a dark and heavy mark in the minds of the people? It was a loud, resounding slap across the face of the Imperial Family.

"The investigation of this case will be overseen by the Crown Prince, with the Prince of Yue assisting. The Three Judicial Offices and the Capital Prefecture will cooperate. Even if you have to turn the Capital City upside down, you must drag out the true culprit behind this! I want to see just who is so audacious as to commit such a treasonous act!"

The Crown Prince bowed his head and said, "Your son receives the decree."

The Emperor continued, "The Imperial Guard's protection was inadequate. The Generals of the Left and Right Luanyi Guard are demoted, and their salaries will be docked for half a year. The commander of the Imperial Guard, Li Jianqiu, will have his salary docked for half a year. Considering you have only recently taken up your post, I will not punish you severely this time. However, the lax and undisciplined culture is rampant in the Imperial Guard and must be strictly rectified. If this happens again, you need not come to see me again!"

Li Jianqiu replied in a clear voice, "Thank you for your leniency, Your Majesty. This subject will do his utmost to serve loyally and not fail Your Majesty's high hopes!"

The Emperor vented his rage on his ministers and sons, and the fire pent up in his chest was finally mostly released. After everyone had withdrawn, he beckoned to Liang Jiang and asked, "What is the Princess doing?"

Liang Jiang said with downcast eyes, "Replying to Your Majesty, today is the day the Princess first meets her parents-in-law after her marriage. By my calculations, she should be at the Pei Family by now."

The mere thought of this marriage infuriated the Emperor, and his dissatisfaction extended to the Pei Family. He let out a cold "Hmph."

Reading his expression, Liang Jiang timely added, "Your Majesty dotes on the Princess; how would the Pei Family dare to neglect Her Highness? Anger harms the body. Your Majesty, please be at ease and prioritize your dragon health. After all, the Princess's homecoming is the day after tomorrow, and she will be waiting for you to comfort her."

The Emperor's expression softened slightly. He thought for a moment and sighed, "That child Ah Tan is bold yet careful. It's hard to say who will be comforting whom. That incident at the temporary palace last time frightened even me, yet she acted as if nothing had happened. An ordinary person would have been scared out of their wits by what happened yesterday, yet she is still able to go to the Pei Family today."

Liang Jiang said with a smile, "The Princess has inherited Your Majesty's true character. But no matter how composed she is, she is still Your Majesty's young daughter. Your Majesty would not love her any less just because she is strong."

These words finally struck a chord in the Emperor's heart. He cast a chiding glance at Liang Jiang, "You're the one who knows so much!"

Liang Jiang only smiled without speaking. Sure enough, the Emperor's next sentence was, "Summon the Minister of Rites to see me."

Liang Jiang's smile deepened as he bowed and said, "This servant obeys."

On the third day after the grand wedding, the Son of Heaven hosted a banquet for all the ministers and nobles at Chenji Palace. Princess Chiming, in elaborate makeup and magnificent robes, entered and kowtowed three times to the Son of Heaven. She then turned to face south and greeted the assembled ministers. All the officials prostrated themselves and kowtowed. Afterward, the Prince Consort entered and kowtowed to the Son of Heaven again with the Princess.

Traditionally, when a princess returned home after her wedding, it was the Empress or a Noble Consort acting in her stead who would host a banquet for the titled ladies from within and outside the palace. But the Emperor's action was to formally introduce the Princess to the court ministers. This was not the treatment for an Empress's biological daughter, but rather, following the ceremony of a prince establishing his own household, granting her the power to be involved in political affairs.

After the Princess and Prince Consort completed their rituals, the Secretariat transmitted an imperial decree, enfeoffing Princess Chiming with a fief of 3000 households, gifting her a residence in Yongxing Ward, and allowing her to establish her own administration with honors equal to an imperial prince.

It was only after the banquet concluded in the afternoon that Wen Chan had the opportunity for a private audience with the Emperor. Seeing her in high spirits and with a composed demeanor, her face showing no signs of panic or haggardness, he felt both proud and heartbroken. He personally helped her up, "Ah Tan, you have suffered."

Wen Chan rose gracefully with his help and smiled, "To make Father-Emperor worry for me is my unfilial act. Truly, it was nothing. I was just sitting in the carriage, and the Prince Consort and the Imperial Guard handled it very promptly. Father-Emperor really need not worry too much."

"It's just like you to still speak up for them at a time like this." The Emperor gave her a deep look. "I heard from He You, the Magistrate of the Capital Prefecture, that you ordered a donation of silver and medicinal herbs to the Capital Prefecture yesterday to treat the commoners who were accidentally injured in the chaos?"

Wen Chan probably didn't expect him to know about this. She paused for a moment before replying, "The incident that day was sudden. The Imperial Guard at least had armor for protection, but the commoners were all unarmed. I heard that many were injured from the pushing and trampling, and the clinics in the capital could no longer cope. This matter is somewhat related to me, so your daughter wanted to contribute a small part. I was also afraid of being suspected of seeking fame. It just so happened that I heard Lord He had recruited a group of doctors to treat the injured at the prefecture office, so I sent some silver and medicinal herbs over."

The Emperor nodded in approval. "To be benevolent to the people and cherish all things, this is the true style of the Imperial Family. You did very well."

But Wen Chan said, "Lord He is the one who truly loves the people as his own children, to have thought of this matter beforehand. Your daughter merely took advantage of the favorable situation he created and really does not dare to take credit."

"You and He You are quite modest, praising each other to the high heavens," the Emperor said with a gratified laugh. "In the future, for any similar matters, feel free to act as you see fit. Do not worry about slander or ridicule. A daughter of mine should have such a sense of responsibility."

Wen Chan had just nodded in agreement when she heard the Emperor's tone shift as he frowned, "However, for such a thing to happen on your wedding day is truly inauspicious. That boy from the Pei Family seems to have nothing but a handsome face. How about you divorce him and we find another..."

Wen Chan: "..."

She thought to herself, 'The Little White Flower can actually think the same as the Emperor. You two, father-in-law and son-in-law, are quite fated.' Had she known, she should have let Pei Rusong come and cry before the Emperor. It might have had an unexpectedly miraculous effect.

"Father-Emperor has not seen how the entire Pei Family is trembling with fear. The Prince Consort cried to me all night, terrified that Father-Emperor would bring down punishment. It was a pitiful sight." Wen Chan sighed. "If it were a portent like lightning or hail falling from the sky, it would be one thing to blame him. But an assassination attempt is the fault of the mastermind. Every injustice has its perpetrator, and every debt its debtor. We can't let him suffer for someone else's crime. That would be too unfair to him."

The Emperor "tsked." Although he was still a bit reluctant, what she said was indeed reasonable. They were the ones who had forced the Pei Clan to send their son for selection. To now demand a divorce just because something went wrong was truly too unethical towards the Pei Clan. Moreover, Pei Luan was a high-ranking court official, and he should be shown some respect—

"I have already ordered the Crown Prince to oversee the investigation of this case. We will certainly get to the bottom of it, so you will not have suffered this injustice for nothing. Tell your Prince Consort to rest easy for now. As a man, what is the use of just shedding tears? He should be thinking about how to serve the court. That is the proper path."

Wen Chan barely suppressed her laughter and said, "Your daughter understands. I will relay this to the Prince Consort when I return."

"No need," the Emperor said decisively. "I will summon him to the palace another day. I will teach him myself!"

Wen Chan: "..."