Transmigrated into a farmer's lucky charm, all the villains in the family panicked.

Yan Shijin did not return that night.

The next day was their first day of formal classes at the academy, and Yan Shijin did not show up.

Princess Yongjia also took leave early in the morning.

Mu Yu, Lin Lang, Li Yanting, Shen Yunzhou, and Xie Mingyuan all became very silent.

Wang Miaomiao sat down next to Yun Shengsheng and whispered, "Shengsheng, don't you think something's strange today?"

Yun Shengsheng nodded.

I think the young girl is quite perceptive.

"Sister Miaomiao, let's keep everything the same."

Wang Miaomiao nodded.

Her father told her that no matter what happens, she must stay calm and not panic.

The teachers continued to lecture on the platform as usual, but the atmosphere in the entire school was very oppressive.

A storm is brewing. Even if the elders in the family don't say it explicitly, they all send messages telling them to behave themselves recently, which means something big is about to happen.

Two days later, while classes were still in session, a clerk suddenly rushed into the classroom and whispered a few words in the teacher's ear.

The teacher's expression changed instantly. He put down his book and said to the students, "You all study on your own first. I'll be right back." After saying that, he hurriedly followed the others away.

The classroom was quiet for a moment, then erupted into a flurry of whispers and various expressions from the students.

Someone pointed to the palace, their expression cryptic: "Has something gone wrong?"

"Are you out of your mind? What are you pointing at?!"

"Probably!"

Yun Shengsheng's grip on the pen tightened slightly: [Chief, how is the old emperor now?]

System: "The old emperor just died."

Yun Shengsheng's fingers, which were holding the pen, trembled slightly. The pen tip poked a small dot of ink on the paper, which slowly spread like a black teardrop.

Really? It feels so unreal.

Although I only met that old man once, he was still a person I met, a living, breathing person. And then he just died like that?

System: "Host, don't be too sad. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are all part of life."

Yun Shengsheng shook her head: "I'm not sad at all. I just find it unbelievable...it makes me feel how insignificant and fragile humanity truly is."

Even emperors, what difference is there between them and ordinary people when faced with life and death? What difference is there between them and ants?

[Is Yan Shijin very sad right now? After all, that was his imperial grandfather... How has he been these past few days?]

System: "After Yan Shijin entered the palace that night, he has been staying by the old emperor's side for the past two days without leaving him. The crown prince and several other princes, princesses and imperial grandsons are also there."

Yun Shengsheng nodded slightly and didn't ask any more questions.

She lowered her head, looked at the small ink dot on the paper, picked up her pen and wrote the character "殇" (sorrow) next to the dot, then crossed it out.

By evening, the headmaster of the academy personally delivered notices to each school, his tone somber.

The late emperor has passed away. Tomorrow morning, all students will be picked up by their families.

The academy is temporarily closed; the reopening date will be announced later.

The next morning, Yun Huaikang indeed arrived in his carriage.

He had changed into a plain white mourning outfit, and even the decorations on the carriage shaft had been changed to a plain color.

Just then, Wang Yuanqiu also came to pick up Wang Miaomiao, and the two families' carriages met at the entrance of the academy.

Wang Yuanqiu and Yun Huaikang chatted briefly, mainly about how Yun Ziyan and Wang Miaomiao's engagement ceremony would be postponed.

During the period of national mourning, marriage and engagement are not permitted; according to custom, they must be postponed for at least three months.

It's almost the end of the year.

Wang Yuanqiu and Yun Huaikang both sighed.

Actually, the person who was most anxious about this was Wang Yuanqiu. His sister-in-law had been coming to visit frequently lately, pestering his wife to change their minds.

He is increasingly disgusted with the Zhou family and increasingly wants to send his daughter to the Yun family.

Look at the adults in the Yun family—they are kind, righteous, and magnanimous, and they have the means to raise their children so well.

Let's take another look at what kind of people the Zhou family are.

Even though neither family had formally agreed to the engagement, and it was just a verbal agreement, the Zhou family wouldn't let it go.

Wang Miaomiao, who was standing next to her, secretly glanced at Yun Ziyan. Because Yun Ziyan was Mr. Su Qing's disciple, he was very busy every day and she rarely saw him.

So today is the first time she has seen him so closely.

What a handsome young man! He's so much better than Zhou Zichen.

The thought that this man would become her husband made Wang Miaomiao's heart pound uncontrollably.

Yun Ziyan happened to glance in Wang Miaomiao's direction, and their eyes met in mid-air. Wang Miaomiao's face flushed red instantly.

Yun Ziyan's ears also turned pink, and he nodded slightly at her.

Yun Shengsheng watched from the side, thinking to herself that her fifth brother usually seemed honest and dull, but he was quite capable when it mattered.

Seeing Wang Miaomiao so embarrassed she wanted to bury herself in a hole, Yun Shengsheng quickly tugged at Yun Ziyan's sleeve and whispered, "That's enough, Fifth Brother. If you keep looking, Sister Miaomiao is going to catch a fire!"

Yun Ziyan was startled, her face instantly turning red, and she quickly lowered her head to look away.

But I was also very happy.

He's going to have a fiancée, his fiancée, his dearest family member.

From now on, they can stay together for the rest of their lives, never to be apart...

After finishing their conversation, Wang Yuanqiu and Yun Huaikang bid each other farewell and boarded their respective carriages to set off.

Along the way, the streets were desolate and quiet, with white banners everywhere and many shops closed.

Yes, for three days after the emperor's death, all the people in the city must wear mourning clothes, and are forbidden from holding banquets, slaughtering animals, getting married, or engaging in entertainment. The brothels and entertainment venues must also close down, and even theatrical troupes must stop working.

The entire capital city was like a painting whose saturation had been suddenly reduced, transforming from a prosperous and splendid scene into a pristine white expanse.

Upon returning to the Yun residence, Yun Shengsheng and Yun Ziyan were immediately pulled by Gan Yuwan to change into plain clothes.

As Gan Yuwan tied Yun Shengsheng's belt, she muttered, "The shop has already posted a notice at the door saying it's temporarily closed until after the national mourning period."

"Sheng Sheng, look, have you closed those shops too?"

Although they own shares in the shop, they are only minor shareholders; the majority stake belongs to Sheng Sheng, so they don't dare to make decisions.

Yun Shengsheng nodded, and after tidying up, she made a special trip to Jinxiu Fenfang.

Granny Qian was organizing the inventory in the shop, covering all the brightly colored boxes with plain-colored cloth covers to prevent them from getting dusty. When she saw Yun Shengsheng arrive, she quickly went to greet her.

"Miss Yun has arrived!"

"Hmm, come and take a look."

"Miss Yun, Her Highness the Grand Princess also sent someone to deliver a message in advance, saying that these are turbulent times and that we should close several shops and make further plans after things calm down."

"Since you weren't here, I took the liberty of closing all the doors."

"Yes, you did a good job. Aunt Princess is very thoughtful..."