The Situation

Under the watchful eyes of Qiu Tian, Chen Miemie finished the strange blue coffee of unknown ingredients.

"By the way, why does Chunhua have such a big conflict with the Stone Speaker?"

Seeing the empty coffee cup, Qiu Tian was quite satisfied and provided even more detailed information from the memories:

"Different political views.

When my father was still in power, among the six great scholars, my father, Cicada, and Xiumu belonged to the pro - witch faction. The other three, the Stone Speaker, the Geometry Jailer, and the Logic Pledgor, were hostile to the witches.

The two sides had great differences on the issue of witches and had fierce arguments."

Chen Miemie quickly interrupted: "Wait, is the Geometry Jailer President Yu? Her daughter is a witch, but she's in the anti - witch faction?"

"When President Yu became a great scholar and the president of the Association Alliance, her daughter hadn't mutated into a witch yet.

At first, she was very prominent, not afraid of making enemies, and clearly proposed to reduce the various privileges of witches. She even shouted, 'Refining magic potions in the Sealed Library violates humanitarian laws and should be punished by imprisonment.'

However, you're right. After her daughter became a witch, her attitude became a bit ambiguous, and she hasn't targeted witches in recent years.

But since she had such a clear political stance before, she didn't have the nerve to directly take back her political views and slap herself in the face."

The more Chen Miemie listened, the more something seemed off: "Then, now that her daughter is gone, will President Yu, who was gradually inclining towards the witches, pick up her previous political stance again?"

Qiu Tian shrugged:

"You can think of it. It's pretty obvious, right?

Before my father passed away, he didn't focus on cultivating his power. So the newly - appointed Carpenter isn't his man. His death means the complete downfall of the pro - witch faction."

"Completely?"

"Yes, completely. Cicada is rich, but like Xiumu, he's a theoretical scholar and doesn't have much real power.

After President Yu returns to her former attitude, she controls the power of the mystics. The Stone Speaker holds the power of judgment and the security force, and the Logic Pledgor manages the finance.

Together, these three hold all the decision - making power in the Scholars' Academy."

Chen Miemie thought for a while: "What did Chunhua used to be in charge of, and what does the Carpenter do now?"

"Education, medical care, and diplomacy. The Evergreen Academy and the Rejuvenation Hall were previously under my father's charge. He was also a practical - oriented scholar and had great power when he was in office.

The Carpenter has just taken office recently and hasn't fully taken over yet. He's currently very low - key. He doesn't show a clear inclination and never seeks the limelight."

"What about the Logic Pledgor? Why is he hostile to witches?"

"The Logic Pledgor is called Luo Lang. He and my father were sworn enemies since childhood. They even ran for the position of great scholar in the same period, and my father won. He had to wait for a full five years before taking over another position. They've always been at odds.

My father supported the witches, so Luo Lang was against them.

I once heard my father say that this was just on the surface. Luo Lang seemed to have deeper reasons for standing on the opposite side of the witches. But I was too young at that time and didn't ask further, and he never mentioned it again later."

After Chen Miemie learned about the situation in the Scholars' Academy, he brought the topic back to the present:

"What about you, Qiu Tian? Why didn't you follow the path of the Scholars' Academy? If you're not in the circle, you'll have nothing to do with Chunhua's political legacy."

"Me? When people are young, they don't like to sit in administrative institutions, working from nine to five and living a predictable life. It's only after being severely beaten by society that they realize the benefits of stability and power.

Of course, I don't regret it now.

I didn't inherit my father's power. Instead, I chose to inherit my mother's side business.

This place was originally the Four Seasons Flower Shop opened by my mother. Later, my father ran the Four Seasons Tea Shop, and it became the Four Seasons Café in my hands.

Do you know why I'm closer to you, Chen Miemie? These words aren't something just any neighbor can hear."

Chen Miemie cooperated: "Why?"

"Because like you, I'm a descendant of a witch with a human body."

Chen Miemie didn't show any surprise: "I guessed it. Is it Lady Twelve O'Clock?"

Qiu Tian thought for a moment and then nodded: "My mother is called Biyi. This is her code name and also her name. She sometimes calls herself the Twelve - O'Clock Insect."

"Oh, where is she? How has she been these years? With this lady's personality, Chunhua should be hen - pecked, right?"

"Chen Miemie, you're mistaken.

When my mother, the witch Biyi, adopted me, I didn't have a father. After she passed away, I was adopted by my father.

My mother and father weren't husband and wife."

Chen Miemie suddenly froze in his chair: "When did your mother pass away?"

"In the year when my father became a great scholar, she died in battle against the great strange being, the Lullaby Hummer. Later, my father killed that strange being."

Chen Miemie was in a daze for a long time. It was only after Qiu Tian called him several times that he slowly came back to his senses.

"Chen Miemie, what's wrong with you? It seems you know something about my mother. Do you know what happened back then?"

Chen Miemie looked at Qiu Tian quietly.

"Yes, I know. Your mother was brave enough to love and hate. Your father was also very heroic. He kept on fighting despite repeated failures and finally avenged her."

A smile appeared on Qiu Tian's face.

Chen Miemie wasn't in the mood to talk anymore and soon left the Four Seasons Café.

He walked aimlessly on the streets of Fairy Tale Road.

Qinghua's voice floated from his neck: "Miemie, what's wrong with you? Your heartbeat is a bit slow."

"Qinghua, I rarely lie to people I know well. I don't know if this lie today is right or not."

"If the truth will hurt everyone, it's better for the truth to be false; if a lie can make people happier, people will hope the lie is the truth."

"Maybe. Now that I think about it, that letter of unknown origin should have been written by Chunhua later.

Humph, if we're talking about lying, it started with Chunhua. I'm just repeating it. Yes, that's right.

But I'm a bit curious. Where did he get my stamp?"

After feeling a bit sad, Chen Miemie decided to go to the Scholars' Academy to see the Advanced Individuals Announcement Conference.

According to Qiu Tian, the Advanced Individuals Announcement Conference is the most important festival in the Sealed Library every year. At the conference, the six great scholars and various forces will all be present.

If Chunhua's last words are true, it means the Stone Speaker will cause some trouble today.

"The Stone Speaker, Shi Buyi? I've been looking for you for days. You've been hiding outside the city. You're really good at hiding. Today, I'll see what tricks your so - called plan is."

When Chen Miemie arrived at the auditorium where the Advanced Individuals Announcement Conference was held, the main part of the conference had already ended, and the outstanding model workers from all walks of life had been selected.

On the podium, there were more than a dozen seats, occupied by the highest - ranking people in the Sealed Library.

The six great scholars, Chenpi, Silence, Mr. Kong, the Book Chaser, representatives from schools and clinics, and presidents of various associations were all there.

The entire auditorium was filled with elites from various industries, reporters from different newspapers, and citizens who came to watch.

Just as the conference host, [End - Taste Taster], was about to announce the end of the conference.

"Wait a minute," interrupted the [Stone Speaker]. "I'd like to announce a trial on this occasion."

His voice drew everyone's attention to him.

Most of the other high - ranking figures remained still. It was hard to tell whether they were just very composed or had already anticipated this.

"Shi Buyi, today is the conference for announcing the advanced individuals, not your courtroom for a trial," snorted the [Logic Pledgor].

"Hehe, such an opportunity is rare. This is a case that concerns the whole city, and this occasion is just perfect."

Shi Buyi clapped his hands, and a group of security officers appeared to take over the on - site order.

"What do you mean by this?" [Cicada] suddenly slapped the table.

President Yu remained expressionless and didn't react. Many members of the associations also stayed still, seemingly acquiescing to Shi Buyi's control of the situation.

The expressions on the faces of the witches were changing constantly, but since [Chenpi] and [Silence] didn't say a word, they didn't jump out either.

"Don't be in a hurry. We have plenty of time today. Let's talk about things one by one slowly.

Then, let me invite my first witness, Mr. Luo Wen, the [Butler], to the stage."