Chapter 210 The Twelfth Day of Entering a Rebirth Novel

Chapter 210: The Twelfth Day of Entering the Rebirth Story

That day, An Yi was summoned into the palace.

As he passed through the palace gates, he encountered two figures.

One was a young woman in a light-green dress, slender and slightly bent over as if she were giving instructions.

Hearing the carriage stop, she slowly straightened up and turned around, just in time to see An Yi step out of the carriage.

It was Ran Zhuyu and her mother.

Compared to half a year ago at the palace banquet, she seemed somewhat thinner, and the gloom in her brow had been replaced by a sharpness and calm that were deeply hidden. Like polished jade, her brilliance was subdued, yet she appeared even more resilient.

Seeing An Yi, a flicker of surprise crossed her face, and she followed her mother's lead in greeting him properly: "Greetings, Guoshi, from your subject's daughter."

An Yi stopped, his gaze falling on her. The gentle smile on his lips remained, like the warm spring sun, easily putting others at ease: "Madam Ran, Miss Ran, no need for such formalities."

The corner of Ran Zhuyu's eye twitched. He knew her!

They had never crossed paths before!

How did An Yi know her?

Jing Haoli's expression shifted as well, and she subtly stepped in front of her daughter: "The Guoshi's divine calculations are unmatched. Predicting the drought in Yongzhou saved countless lives. I, your subject's wife, am in awe."

An Yi smiled faintly, calm and detached: "Just following heaven's will, doing my duty."

Over the past half year, the comment section had been reporting the feats of this reborn female lead in real time.

Which stepsister who bullied her in her past life had been "accidentally" disfigured, which noble girl who caused her trouble had seen her family fall from power overnight, which financial channels secretly managed by Crown Prince Qi Haocang had suffered setbacks...

All of it was Ran Zhuyu's doing.

Ran Zhuyu wanted to probe further, but An Yi merely gave a slight nod and did not speak more. His wide sleeve brushed against the railing of the corridor as he walked past her with measured steps, leaving behind a subtle, cool fragrance.

Ran Zhuyu stood still, watching the gradually receding figure in black. Her fingers unconsciously tightened, gripping her sleeve.

Instead of fading, the doubts in her heart grew stronger.

Is he also reborn? How much does he know? Why does he know me?

Jing Haoli took her hand and lowered her voice: "Yuer, do you know the Guoshi?"

Ran Zhuyu hesitated, then shook her head. At least in this life... they weren't acquainted.

Comments section:

"Ohhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Finally, the male and female leads have met!"

"It's been over eighty chapters! The leads finally meet for the second time! Cause for celebration!"

"The male lead even smells nice~"

"Throwing flowers! Throwing flowers!"

"Um... I'm starting to think the Guoshi isn't the male lead. That masked man who met the female lead seems more like the lead, mysterious identity and some romantic tension with her..."

"He even gets more screen time!"

"+1!"

"I agree. Who's ever heard of a male lead meeting the female lead only twice in over eighty chapters and exchanging fewer than five sentences!"

"But the Guoshi knows about the female lead, that's solid proof he's also a reborn character, right?"

"Even if he's reborn, that doesn't necessarily make him the male lead!"

"..."

The corner of An Yi's mouth curved up.

Exactly!

That masked man is the Seventh Prince, the real male lead!

----------

Inside the Yangxin Study, the Old Emperor stroked his beard, looking at the few trusted ministers standing respectfully before him.

"The Guoshi has rendered great service this time, and his knowledge of heavenly secrets makes his safety paramount."

The Old Emperor mused: "I intend to increase the Guoshi's protection detail, ensuring absolute security."

The officials exchanged glances. One of them, a glint in his eyes, stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty is wise! The Guoshi's safety is indeed a matter of national importance. However... if the guard candidates are directly appointed by the palace, though loyal, they may not perfectly suit the Guoshi's preferences and needs."

"Your subject ventures to suggest... let the Guoshi choose for himself? Chosen according to his wishes, this would both demonstrate Your Majesty's favor and ensure better rapport between the guard and the Guoshi."

Letting the Guoshi choose on his own, without immediate appointment, meant those eager to curry favor would have time to slip their own people in beside him.

A waterfront pavilion gets the moonlight first—if they could become the Guoshi's confidant, the benefits...

The Old Emperor found this reasonable.

He now trusted An Yi increasingly, so naturally he was willing to grant considerable freedom on such minor matters:

"What you say makes sense. Let it be so. When the Guoshi enters the palace, I will speak with him personally."

Just then, the eunuch announced the Guoshi's arrival.

The Old Emperor quickly summoned An Yi in.

Hearing that the emperor intended to let him choose his own guards, and seeing the calculations in the eyes of the nearby officials, An Yi understood at once.

After a moment's thought, this was an opportunity.

He did need some people, but not for guards.

"Your subject thanks Your Majesty for his boundless grace."

An Yi bowed slightly, his voice clear and pleasant: "However, regarding the guards, those currently in the mansion are sufficient. Your subject has another request, which he hopes Your Majesty will grant."

The Old Emperor and the officials were all taken aback: "The Guoshi may speak freely."

An Yi lifted his eyes, his gaze calmly sweeping over those present, and said slowly:

"Your subject observes the heavens and senses the flow of fate. Deeply aware that human strength has its limits—the strength of guards can only protect one person's safety—I wish to emulate the ancient sages, establishing a lectern to teach, selecting a group of young people aged twelve to twenty, regardless of birth or gender, and teaching some basic cultivation methods: to strengthen the body, illuminate the mind, and realize one's true nature. If one day the nation faces peril, it may add some strength to defend the homeland."

As these words fell, the entire hall was astonished!

Cultivation method?!

The National Preceptor is going to teach cultivation?!

At first the officials were stunned, then their eyes blazed with ecstatic joy!

Disciples! Isn't that a closer bond than just being bodyguards?!

If they could have their own children study under the National Preceptor and learn that unfathomable "method of cultivation"... the future would be limitless!

The few sorcerers who had kept silent also had their eyes gleam with greed, but then they dimmed.

Under twenty years old?

What about those of us who are forty or even sixty? Can't we qualify?

Right Grand Chancellor Ran Yuanzheng was also there. Upon hearing this, he suddenly furrowed his brows, and his suspicions instantly rose to a peak.

If An Yi is reincarnated, what true method of cultivation could he, a "National Preceptor" who climbed to power through fraud and trickery, possibly know?

Isn't he afraid of being found out?

Did the success of his prophecy puff him up, making him bold enough to take such a risk?

Or is it that... he's not reincarnated at all, but truly has some mysterious ability they can't understand?

After the initial surprise, a trace of displeasure flickered across the Old Emperor's face.

The method of cultivation, the art of immortality, in his opinion, were secret, closely guarded arts; how could they be taught so casually?

This National Preceptor is just too...