These past few days, Bai Zhi’er has been attentive to any injustice around her for the sake of the last two Merits.

But for some reason, there were hardly any situations where she could lend a helping hand.

Her uncle Xu Lianzhou also mentioned that as the year comes to a close, peace prevails everywhere.

The Great Chu prospers, the nation is stable and its people are safe, and Bai Zhi’er is pleased by this.

Thinking it’s been a while since she visited the Wen Mansion, Bai Zhi’er decided to go on a day when the snow stopped.

Upon hearing her intention to visit, Jun Kuang was already waiting in advance.

As soon as Bai Zhi’er stepped off the carriage, Jun Kuang handed her a warm hand warmer.

The young girl glanced at him.

Jun Kuang, dressed in a blue robe with a white fur collar, looked tall and handsome.

Bai Zhi’er smiled and had a brocade box handed over to him by a servant.

"Big Brother Jun Kuang, you excelled in the imperial examination, and I haven’t properly congratulated you since my return. This is a gift prepared for you."

Jun Kuang did not hesitate. Upon receiving it and opening it, he found a brush made of pure White Jade.

The touch was warm, and on the brush handle, four characters were carved: pure wind and bright moon.

It symbolized a serene mindset.

Jun Kuang was reluctant to part with it: "Thank you, Your Highness."

The gifts she gave were always so appropriate.

Bai Zhi’er walked with him, inquiring about the scholars at the Wen Mansion.

Even though Jun Kuang is now an official and usually very busy, he always made time to come and stay at the Wen Mansion whenever he was free.

With him present, the other scholars studied even more diligently.

Because Jun Kuang had once been disgraced, yet through his own efforts, he once again made a place for himself in officialdom.

This undoubtedly gave others confidence to strive.

After entering the Nuan Pavilion, they sat opposite each other, and Jun Kuang poured Bai Zhi’er a cup of hot tea.

"Your Highness, besides this matter, I have another unexpected discovery that I have been meaning to tell you."

Bai Zhi’er blinked her round eyes and asked, "What is it?"

Jun Kuang looked steadily at her and said, "Half a month ago, a scholar who was reading at night returned to his resting courtyard from the Book Collection Pavilion, only to find a black snake in the grass."

Bai Zhi’er’s motion of drinking tea suddenly froze!

A black snake?

It’s Xiao Li!

Bai Zhi’er was quite surprised.

Xiao Li, having cultivated spiritual abilities, had always lived at the Wen Mansion, and logically, scholars shouldn’t be able to see it.

Bai Zhi’er hurriedly asked, "And then?"

Jun Kuang said, "The snake wasn’t large, so everyone thought to let it go, but it remained motionless. We guessed it might have come out of hibernation and forgotten to return to its den."

"Therefore, afraid that carelessly sending it to the mountains would lead to its death, we placed it in the garden instead."

"Telling Your Highness this matter is because I wanted to ask you how to handle it."

At this point, Jun Kuang smiled: "Interestingly, the night this snake was discovered, I, had a dream."

Bai Zhi’er watched him.

Jun Kuang continued, "I dreamed of a man in a black robe asking me to invite the Princess to the Wen Mansion, saying you would arrange his stay."

"After waking, I pondered over it several times and felt it was like a dream bestowed by the Spiritual Snake. Whether it’s true or not, it’s better to ask the Princess first."

Bai Zhi’er abruptly stood up: "Which garden is it in, I’ll go have a look."

Jun Kuang immediately led the way.

Usually, Xiao Li mainly hid in the densely wooded You Garden.

But after it appeared, Jun Kuang and the others, unaware, placed it in the back garden of the Wen Mansion.

When Bai Zhi’er found it, it was curled up in a tree hole.

The servant beside Bai Zhi’er intended to help, but she waved her hand, indicating it wasn’t necessary.

She personally reached into the tree hole, held Xiao Li’s snake body, and brought it out.

Jun Kuang, witnessing this scene from the side, was slightly stunned.