SHINING just for you (星河长明 , Novoland: The Princess From Plateau , Xing He Chang Ming , Jiu Zhou Zhu Yan Ji , 九州·朱颜记 , 九州·朱顏記)

But there have been words going around the court

saying that while Bai Lu is proficient in astrology

and competent in her work,

Your Majesty's fondness for her

has exceeded that of an emperor and a subject.

If Your Majesty favors her romantically,

perhaps you should make her part of your harem

to prevent the officials from speculating

and risk damaging your reputation.

Who is saying

such things?

We all share the same thought.

You shouldn't delve too much into it.

You're the first one to make speculations, Fan Ruhui.

I merely share the same concern.

Bai Lu will not enter the harem.

I just want to treat her kindly.

Is there a problem?

Come on.

Have a seat.

You sit when I tell you to.

Ruhui.

If I don't trust you,

I wouldn't ask you to handle the royal court.

And I wouldn't ask you to look after Tianqi,

look after my back,

during my tour of inspection.

You

should focus on the royal court.

Don't overthink.

And don't ever think that my preference for Bai Lu

will pose a threat to your position.

I don't even need to use Bai Lu

if I truly want to get rid of you.

You're a wise ruler, Your Majesty.

I dare not deceive you.

I am wary of Bai Lu

because my son, Fan Zheng, is on bad terms with Bai Lu.

As a father, I wish to protect my son.

I'm worried that if Bai Lu earns your favor,

she will exact vengeance on my son.

I see.

No need to confess.

I do not want to know or hear

what you are doing.

Just remember one thing.

Every decision I make

comes with a reason.

Every man I use also comes with a reason.

Stop speculating about what is on my mind.

If it's rightfully yours, I will give it to you without any hesitation.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Here, please, Gu.

Gu.

Do you remember I told you

that when I go on the inspection tour,

I would need you to take care of my friend?

Right.

Where is he?

Have a seat.

Okay.

Gu.

Have some tea.

Give me a moment.

All right.

Gu.

Please take care of my friend here.

He...

He...

Greetings, Mr. Gu.

Wait... How did he become like this?

Bring him with you

and he'll explain how.

Wait.

It's such a huge mirror.

Do I...

Carry it back home?

Oh, dear.

I wasn't thinking straight.

Here.

Take this with you.

He can appear in any mirror.

Does he need to be fed?

No.

No need to waste your resources.

However,

he can be quite talkative.

Just talk to him when you're free.

Nice to meet you.

I am Gu Wangran.

Don't call me Mr. Gu.

Just call me Gu

like Miss Ye does here.

To be able to learn from you in person

is such an honor.

Learn from me?

I don't know either.

He is arrogant toward me

and usually ignores me.

But he's very docile

when he sees you today.

He's putting on an act.

He must be putting on an act.

No, you!

See?

That's his normal self there.

Mr. Gu...

Be patience. There's enough for everyone.

Take this.

Give it to me.

Mother, she took my food!

Thank you.

Lang.

Here.

Be careful.

Thank you.

How can your daughter steal someone's food?

Everyone knows it anyway.

You're lucky

because the Yuezhou Army is taking care of you.

Indeed.

Right.

Exactly.

They look after you.

Not like us.

Some people were born lucky.

Those unlucky ones are either dead on the battlefield

or during the exodus.

They can't even ask for food.

Stop gawking. Shoo.

Move along now.

All right. I'll distribute the food again.

Let's go.

Let's continue rationing.

Give me some food already if you have the time to gawk.

Mother.

Don't cry.

I won't eat as much.

Thank you so much.

Sang Dan.

Su can bring Lang to my home.

I still have food.

Next!

Lang, come with me.

Okay.

Sang Dan.

Don't take it to heart.

Fate has willed it so that General Cheng

takes care of you and your son.

No need to compete with others for food.

Did you two find

any food or fruits out there?

The soil here is fertile,

but it's too remote.

We only found kugu here.

It's a plant like this.

They are everywhere,

but even the horses won't eat them.

If they could serve as fodder,

we could at least trade them with the Heluo Clan in Wanzhou

for some food.

We can cultivate crops,

and we should have food by autumn.

But the surplus

won't last the entire winter.

(They say only a wise emperor will ride with a capable minister.)

It's getting bumpy.

I bet we're

at Liaoyang, Zhongzhou now.

Your Majesty,

I have a question.

Why didn't we take

the proper path,

and instead, we took the mountainous one?

What do you mean by the proper path?

As in the shortest path.

There is no shortcut

in this world.

How eccentric.

Protectorate General.

Great Steward Fan wrote

and said His Majesty

is aware that people in Zhongzhou are subjected to intense forced labor.

He accused you of labor exploitation.

If we do not launch a counterattack now,

we will face serious trouble.

Protectorate General.

No.