"Mother." Shen Cuiyu gently took hold of Mrs. Zou's arm, her voice laced with the dependence of a long - awaited reunion.
Mrs. Zou tenderly stroked her daughter's hair. This was the longest separation between mother and daughter. She gently embraced Shen Cuiyu, and all her cares and yearnings melted into this silent hug.
Shen Canghai stood to one side, watching the heart - warming scene of his wife and daughter embracing. A touch of tenderness softened his otherwise stern features.
His eyes fell on the Mysterious - rank waist token hanging from Shen Cuiyu's waist. A glint of approval flashed across his eyes.
"Truly worthy to be my daughter," he said with pride. "But I believe that one day, when people speak of me, they'll say I'm Shen Cuiyu's father."
These words caught Shen Cuiyu off - guard. Outside the window, leaves were fluttering down one by one, yet these words planted a seed of hope in her heart, which gradually took root and sprouted...
How fortunate she was to be reborn and have such wonderful family members.
After the family had a warm conversation for a while, Shen Canghai turned to Shen Cuiyu and said, "A Cui, I saw your name on the registration list for the Grand Sacrifice Ceremony." His expression grew solemn. "The affairs of the state lie in sacrifice and warfare. There must be no mistakes in this grand ceremony. Although I serve in the Imperial Observatory, I can't help you and must avoid any suspicion. If you truly want to participate, you must go all out!"
Shen Cuiyu pondered for a moment and decided to tell Shen Canghai the truth.
"Father, I registered not for the competition of the Grand Sacrifice Ceremony. I just want to figure out something... something that has troubled me for a long time."
Hearing this, Shen Canghai frowned slightly. His expression was uncharacteristically serious.
His daughter had grown up and had her own matters to deal with. He didn't want to ask too many questions, but...
"Is that matter really so important that you're willing to stake it on the Grand Sacrifice Ceremony?" Shen Canghai couldn't help but ask.
Shen Cuiyu lowered her eyes. She had asked herself this question more than once - what did finding the truth and taking revenge mean to her? Was it worth spending two lifetimes searching for a truth?
On this long road of proving her innocence, she had missed too many seasons. So...
"It's worth it." Shen Cuiyu looked up, her eyes ablaze. "Since this matter has haunted me for so long, I will get to the bottom of it this time."
In the dead of night, Shen Cuiyu would sometimes recall that pitch - black cave. Exhaustion, hunger, and cold had surrounded her. She still vividly remembered the feeling of being abandoned in the darkness.
What had kept her going all these years was not only the will to live but also her unwillingness to accept her fate.
Why had Liu Ruyan stolen the life that should have been hers?!
She would surely find out the truth!
Shen Canghai looked at Shen Cuiyu intently for a moment. Just when Shen Cuiyu thought he would question or scold her, he merely nodded with a touch of emotion.
"If that's the case, I respect your choice."
...
In the past few days at the academy, rewards from the court had been arriving one after another. Rows of chests were lined up from the foot to the top of the mountain. Several court officials had come, which showed how much the court valued this grand ceremony.
Wanxiang Academy even introduced a public vote. First, the students would cast their votes.
When Shen Cuiyu heard about this, she had a premonition that Liu Ruyan would spare no effort to secure votes for herself.
After all, in her past life, Liu Ruyan had been very good at creating a stir for herself. Shen Cuiyu even thought that if Liu Ruyan hadn't been swindling in the mysterious sect but had gone into business instead, she would surely have been a business genius...
Sure enough, in the following days, a spectacular vote - canvassing drama unfolded at Wanxiang Academy.
Liu Ruyan truly understood human nature.
She didn't resort to the vulgar method of directly giving money. Instead, she carefully prepared three "tokens of her kindness":
First, she commissioned the most famous talisman shop in the capital to customize a batch of high - quality "Mind - Clearing Talismans" and personally delivered them to each dormitory.
Facing the disciples, Liu Ruyan always gave a gentle smile and spoke flawlessly, "The recent schoolwork has been heavy. These talismans can help you calm your minds. Consider it a little gift from me."
Second, she held a tea party in the academy's teahouse and invited disciples from all over to enjoy tea. The tea was the fine pre - rain Longjing, and the snacks were the signature dishes from the Drunken Immortal Restaurant. During the party, she only talked about the wind and the moon, never mentioning the election, but made everyone who attended feel valued.
The most brilliant move was the third one - she organized a "Dao - Discussion Meeting" and invited several respected senior brothers and sisters to be present. She herself talked eloquently about the inheritance and significance of the Grand Sacrifice Ceremony.
Many disciples sighed after listening, "Ruyan not only has outstanding cultivation but also a deep understanding of rituals. She is the perfect candidate to host the ceremony."
Those disciples who had received her gifts naturally wrote her name on the ballot; even those who hadn't been given anything were influenced by the momentum she had created.
The disciple list in front of the academy was crowded with onlookers every day. Liu Ruyan's name topped the list, with more than three times as many votes as the second - ranked candidate!
One afternoon, the sunlight filtering through the corridors created a mottled pattern of light and shadow. From afar, Liu Ruyan caught sight of Shen Cuiyu and a perfect arc curved her lips. Her voice was as clear as a warbler's:
"Oh, isn't this Shen Cuiyu? Come to check the list too?"
Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just right to make several passing disciples stop. Everyone's eyes shifted between the two of them, sensing an unusual atmosphere.
Shen Cuiyu calmly looked at the list. Her eyes lingered on Liu Ruyan's name at the top for a moment, then fell on her waist - the white jade pendant she always wore was gone. And just yesterday, Shen Cuiyu had clearly seen a very similar jade pendant on an inspection eunuch.
Liu Ruyan took a light step forward, pretending to adjust her sleeves. She leaned close to Shen Cuiyu's ear and whispered softly so that only they could hear, "So what if your father is the head of the Imperial Observatory? In an event like the Grand Sacrifice Ceremony, real ability matters. Just like now, aren't you just watching my name at the top of the list?"
After saying this, Liu Ruyan took a half - step back and resumed her normal tone, with a touch of concern, "By the way, haven't you voted yet? You should hurry up. After all..." She covered her mouth and giggled, "Every disciple should do their part for the academy."
This pretentious show of generosity made several surrounding disciples nod in approval.
Seeing this, Xu Qingfeng stepped forward and whispered to Shen Cuiyu, "Don't worry, junior sister. The votes are anonymous."
Shen Cuiyu watched Liu Ruyan's retreating back and a faint smile played on her lips. She dipped her brush in ink and calmly wrote three characters on the ballot: "Liu Ruyan".
Xu Qingfeng was stunned. "What are you doing?"
"Since Liu Ruyan wants this position so much..." Shen Cuiyu gently blew on the ink to dry it, "I'll surely give her a helping hand."
Some people need to reach the highest point before they can fall the hardest.