Reincarnated as the daughter of my mortal enemy, all I want is to ascend the throne.

The carriage swayed and rattled along the streets of the capital.

Yan Li glanced outside before lowering the curtain.

"I just went to see an old friend, and he actually has something."

His friend, a minor official in the Ministry of Revenue, told him about Zhao Ke's household registration. While searching through the registration records, he discovered obvious signs of alteration.

Later, I secretly investigated and found that this matter was related to Duke Wencheng, so I didn't pursue it any further.

Why would a mere seventh-rank official need the Duke of Wencheng to intervene?

Li Qingyan frowned. This was going a bit too far. And...

"You have some nerve. Aren't you afraid that Duke Wencheng will retaliate if he finds out that he was the one who said it?"

Yan Li waved his hand, "He's not afraid. He's the youngest son of the Marquis of Ning'an, and the Marquis of Ning'an and Duke Wencheng have been sworn enemies for many years."

He chuckled as he said this, "Your Highness is too young to know, but these two families used to have quite a bit of trouble. If it weren't for the Emperor Emeritus intervening, they probably would have gone to war."

Since it was still early, Li Qingyan went directly to the residence of Duke Wencheng.

Upon entering the courtyard, one finds a garden made of white marble, but the surrounding flowers and plants are not of rare or precious varieties.

This courtyard was originally the residence of a prince from the previous dynasty, so it's reasonable that it was later given to the old minister, Duke Wencheng, to live in.

Duke Wencheng was known for his integrity and strict family traditions. Although he lived in this luxurious courtyard, he did not decorate it excessively, so it looked both luxurious and simple, which was quite a contrast.

"Duke Wencheng"

Li Qingyan bowed to him; since Duke Wencheng was an elder, it was appropriate for her to bow.

Duke Wencheng walked out leaning on a cane, supported by his steward. He was dressed simply, and it was hard to tell that he was a dignified duke.

"Why did Your Highness decide to come to this humble abode of yours?"

When Duke Wencheng sat down, he was panting heavily, and his health appeared to be quite poor. Li Qingyan had indeed not seen him in court for a long time.

Li Qingyan took a sip of tea. Although it was top-quality Longjing tea, it had been stored for two years and didn't taste very good.

Although there were vases in the main hall, anyone with a discerning eye could tell at a glance that they were not top-quality porcelain, but only of average quality, and were placed there to make the room appear less empty.

"You have not attended court for a long time, and your illness has not improved. Father is very worried, so I came to see you."

Hongyu and Cuiping, who were behind Li Qingyan, handed over ginseng and some tonics, which were tributes from the palace.

Duke Wencheng's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for still remembering someone as useless as me."

She looked like she was about to cry as she spoke.

After exchanging pleasantries with him, Li Qingyan got down to business, "I wonder if Duke Wencheng knows someone named Zhao Ke?"

Duke Wencheng paused in his teacup and sighed heavily.

What's meant to happen will happen.

These words sounded rather strange, almost like a confession. Li Qingyan's eyes darted around, but she quickly regained her composure. She felt something was off, but couldn't show it.

"Is there something you're having trouble saying?"

When Duke Wencheng heard her ask this, he sighed again, "This matter has to start from the spring examination in the fifth year of Yuan'an."

Before the spring imperial examination, the old dean of Changning Academy brought Zhao Ke with him. Zhao Ke's student robes were all patched, and he looked extremely thin and pitiful.

The old dean bluntly stated that Zhao Ke was also from a good family, but his father had offended a treacherous official in the previous dynasty and was framed.

There is evidence to appeal.

But the local officials in Yuan'an at that time didn't care.

This caused Zhao Ke to always bear the infamy of being the son of a treacherous official.

There was one thing weighing on Zhao Ke, making his participation in the imperial examinations illegitimate and fraught with difficulties, even though he was clearly a talented person.

Duke Wencheng also knew about what happened back then. Zhao Ke's father was a man of integrity and uprightness. He never expected that he would be killed by treacherous officials and be cursed by others. His son would also have to bear the infamy for a lifetime.

Therefore, Duke Wencheng stepped in to help Zhao Ke change his household registration and erase his past. He was just waiting for the right opportunity to allow Zhao Ke to clear his father's name.

"I know this is wrong, but... that child and his father are both good people. Especially his father, although he was an official of the previous dynasty, he was an upright man who saved many people. I can't bear it."

The host did not lie.

Li Qingyan raised an eyebrow and looked at Duke Wencheng. "This matter could be big or small. Zhao Ke has not done anything heinous. I will explain it to my father."

Duke Wencheng was extremely grateful, and Li Qingyan still felt very strange even after leaving Duke Wencheng's residence.

Why would someone with exceptional writing skills need someone else's exam paper? What role did Zhao Ke play in all of this?

Is his identity real or fake?

Li Qingyan rubbed her face; the more she investigated, the bigger the mystery became.

As dusk fell, Li Qingyan was preparing to return to the Yan residence when a group of people suddenly appeared and stopped her carriage.

Hongyu roared, "How dare you! The Imperial Guards dare to stop the princess's carriage?"

The leader was Lin Yi, who had been promoted from a lowly soldier to a fifth-rank Imperial Guard captain for his meritorious service in escorting medicine.

Li Qingyan lifted the curtain, patted Hongyu on the shoulder, and told him not to be angry.

"Lin Yi? Are you fully recovered from your injury?"

Li Qingyan showed him her eight small white teeth; she couldn't forget him, after all, he was her savior.

Lin Yi was a little embarrassed and scratched his head. "Your Highness, my injuries are much better. His Majesty wants us to escort you back to the palace."

Li Qingyan glanced at the number of soldiers who had arrived; there were twenty in total. Anyone who didn't know better would think she had done something wrong.

She rubbed her face, thinking for a moment, "If I don't go back today, Li Yan will definitely try to trip me up. Forget it, a wise man doesn't fight a losing battle."

Yan Li was very perceptive and saw that he was returning to his residence.

Li Qingyan's carriage was escorted back by the Imperial Guards.

She leaned against Cuiping and rubbed her stomach. "I'm so hungry."

Cuiping picked up some pastries from the side and offered them to the child. She then peeked out through the curtains, before putting them down again. She was probably overthinking it.

Several peddlers in the distance glanced at the carriage, then split up in several directions and left, calling out their wares as they went.

If you look closely at their carrying poles, you can see strange gaps in the middle and a faint metallic sheen.

"Your Highness is finally back!" Laifu picked up Li Qingyan. "Why have you lost so much weight?"

"Cuiping, how are you taking care of the young prince?"

Cuiping glanced at Li Qingyan's round little face. She had clearly taken good care of the little prince. Where had he lost weight?

Li Yan, seated on the dragon throne, slightly raised his eyes. "Has the little brat been having too much fun outside?"

"Your Majesty is so stubborn. These past few days without the young prince around, I wonder who hasn't been able to sleep a wink."

Lai Fu put Li Qingyan on the ground, took a few steps back, and went to Li Yan's side to grind ink.

Li Qingyan chuckled and ran over quickly.

"Dad, what are you saying? I haven't been having any fun at all. I've been busy outside."

"I'm starving to death."

Seeing Li Qingyan's awkward and coquettish manner, Li Yan raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Someone prepare the meal."

He had a chill run down his spine. What was this brat up to now?