Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl
Chapter 497 Miss Ye couldn’t have traveled here from the Ning Dynasty, could she? [1 more update]

Chapter 497: 497 Miss Ye couldn’t have traveled here from the Ning Dynasty, could she? [1 more update]

Professor Shen was taken aback, "Wanlan?"

Throughout the filming, she could always sense a deep sadness emanating from Ye Wanlan.

Indeed, no one from Shenzhou dared to forget the devastating war that took place three hundred years ago.

But they had only read about history in books and listened to lectures; while they felt sadness and anger, they couldn’t truly empathize with those who had experienced the war themselves.

Ye Wanlan, however, seemed as if she had lived through it herself. That sadness and overwhelming hatred surged toward him like a relentless storm.

Professor Shen stood next to her, feeling momentarily breathless.

Ye Wanlan simply stared at the weathered plaque ahead without responding.

Both Shen Mingshu and Han Yunsheng were her mentors.

Teaching, imparting knowledge, and resolving doubts, their kindness was as heavy as a mountain.

Both were very strict, and if she slackened, she would be punished.

But most of the time, they took care of her.

Once a teacher, forever a parent.

Without Han Yunsheng or Shen Mingshu, she wouldn’t have been able to secure her place as the head of the East Palace.

She wanted to know more than anyone, what exactly happened to Shen Mingshu.

Han Yunsheng’s bones were shattered to dust, his spirit forever lost, she couldn’t even prepare his body for burial.

And Shen Mingshu?

Ye Wanlan suddenly couldn’t bear to think further.

She closed her eyes and slowly said, "Minister Shen suffered through war in his youth and spent his entire life strengthening Shenzhou. Even if false, the accusation of betrayal placed on him would be an insult."

"Exactly," Professor Shen said solemnly, "Minister Shen made unparalleled contributions. His achievements are eternal. Those fringe historians who speak of betrayal merely seek sensationalism."

"I had never appreciated how much people in later times would speculate," Hua Yingyue said indifferently nearby, "Seeing those comments online suggesting that I am merely a woman, I’m not angry but find it laughable."

Nonsensical talk always comes from the ignorant and incompetent.

Xie Linyuan shrugged, "It’s irrelevant. They just talk. Asking them to act is more difficult than reaching the heavens."

"The purpose of filming ’Treasures of The Divine Land’ goes beyond promoting the culture of Shenzhou, it’s also to correct these historical inaccuracies," Professor Li added, "Otherwise, letting such baseless talk spread among the public is tantamount to historically sabotaging one’s own culture."

Shen Yeqiu and Xu Qingyu also listened intently, learning about areas of history they had never touched upon.

Shen Mingshu’s old home was very modest, just a small room with only a table, a chair, and a bed.

"Minister Shen prepared for the imperial examination in this very small room," Professor Shen recounted, "She had very little money for books to study and couldn’t even afford extra candles. So, when the sun set, she would go by the river and read by the light of the river lamps."

These minor details were recorded by historians from Zhaozong’s era, who listened to the local residents.

Ye Wanlan knew this not because Shen Mingshu told her, but Princess Jingan did.

Princess Jingan often marveled, not just at Shen Mingshu’s exceptional talent, but more importantly, at her extraordinary endurance and hard work.

After filming Shen Mingshu’s old house, the recording of ’Treasures of The Divine Land’ officially concluded.

Along the way, the director, carrying a load of worries, finally relaxed.

Originally planned for two months, the shoot, due to various unexpected events, took a full half-year.

Fortunately, every shot was a gem, and, with some editing, it was ready to be a finished film.

He was eager to see the sensation ’Treasures of The Divine Land’ would cause upon release.

"Thanks to Miss Ye," Producer Liu remarked while smoking, "At first, I was reluctant when Professor Xue wanted to add people to our crew, but if it weren’t for Miss Ye, our program would’ve been doomed."

The director nodded in agreement. Remembering some online comments, he suddenly slapped his forehead, "Old Liu, do you think Miss Ye could be a time-traveler from the Ning Dynasty?"

At these words, Producer Liu choked on his smoke, coughing thunderously, "Cough, cough, cough!"

His face turned purplish as the director quickly handed him a glass of water, reprimanding, "Come on, Old Liu, you’ve known Miss Ye for so long, how come you still can’t handle a shock like this? That’s really inappropriate!"

Producer Liu retorted, "I think you’ve directed too many bizarre dramas to have such ideas."

"But my idea does have a basis," the director counted on his fingers, "Look, Miss Ye understands Ning Dynasty’s history and artifacts profoundly and can distinguish genuine from fake effortlessly. Who else could do that? And it’s not just me; some netizens also think so!"

"Just because some netizens think so, you believe it too?" Producer Liu wished he could pry open the director’s head to see what was going on, "Can’t you have your own judgment?"

"I’m just making a bold guess," the director rubbed his hands, "I just think Miss Ye is simply not human!"

Producer Liu grumpily said, "Then why don’t you boldly claim that Miss Ye is Princess Yongning?"

"Ah, Old Liu, you’re clever!" the director’s eyes lit up, "If you hadn’t reminded me, I wouldn’t have thought about Miss Ye having an identity in the Ning Dynasty! No, I must jot down these inspirations. Once ’Treasures of The Divine Land’ is finished, I’ll continue to produce dramas!"

Producer Liu again was at a loss for words.

He had nothing to say to those with such wild imaginations.

Can’t they respect reality?

Producer Liu snorted coldly, not bothering to pay further attention to the exuberant director, and walked out the door, only to run into Ye Wanlan by chance.

"Producer Liu," Ye Wanlan nodded slightly towards him.

"Miss Ye, I was just praising you for making a huge contribution to the production team," said Producer Liu respectfully. "You must attend tomorrow’s wrap party, Miss Ye."

"Definitely," Ye Wanlan replied with a slight smile. "Do you mind if I bring my family?"

"Not at all, of course not," Producer Liu hastily replied. "It’s just that I’m worried my old buddy might spout nonsense. He even told me just now that you were a time-traveler, and I instantly wanted to knock his head off to make him think clearly."

Ye Wanlan paused for a moment, then raised her eyebrows, "People’s brains really are different."

"Right?" muttered Producer Liu. "I’m going to the hospital now to get him some medication!"

After watching Producer Liu leave, Ye Wanlan returned to Shen Mingshu’s former residence.

Sitting in the chair, she felt as if she had returned three hundred years to the past, to a time of leisure when she watched Han Yunsheng and Shen Mingshu play chess.

"Ah Lan?" Hua Yingyue suddenly spoke, "Look, what is this?"

She was pointing to a crack in the wall.

Ye Wanlan quickly stood up and strode forward, pressing her hand against the wall, giving it a slight shake.

"Snap!"

Something fell from the crack.

Ye Wanlan bent down to pick it up, her mind shaking at that moment.

The scenes before her eyes changed once more.

Flames lit the sky, black smoke covered the land, and the Shenzhou Land Continent was trampled by enemy forces, utterly devastating.

Fengyuan City had not yet fallen, but the atmosphere was also extremely tense.

Ye Wanlan looked up and saw a familiar figure enter her view.

The Eternal Female Prime Minister, Shen Mingshu!

Shen Mingshu was still in her official robes, her face unable to hide her anxiety.

And then, suddenly...

"Crack!"

A very crisp sound of breaking resonated in her palm.

Shen Mingshu’s eyelashes trembled and her hand shook violently, as if sifting through chaff.

She gritted her teeth, silent for over ten seconds before finally opening her hand.

As expected, the ring-shaped pendant in her palm had split in half.

Tears in Shen Mingshu’s eyes finally fell.

Ye Wanlan recognized it; this ring-shaped pendant was a birthday gift that Han Yunsheng had once given to Shen Mingshu.

The pendant was imbued with Art and Methods and would only shatter when the caster was no longer alive.

The broken pendant proved that Han Yunsheng was no more.

He, after all, had not managed to return alive.

Shen Mingshu closed her eyes, beginning to reflect on her life.

She was born into poverty during her childhood, coinciding with a time of war.

Her father had gone to enlist, and she wandered around half of the Shenzhou Land Continent with her mother.

Shen Mingshu first realized how heavily the casually stated words "people unable to sustain livelihood" could sketch out the harsh reality.

She swore never to let the people of Shenzhou suffer from the ravages of war again.

Under the wise rule of Emperor Zhaozong, she diligently taught Princess Yongning, able to see a bright future for Shenzhou.

Even after Princess Yongning passed away prematurely, Shen Mingshu never gave up; she and Han Yunsheng continued to pass on their knowledge to Emperor Yongshun Xiang Chen.

At least for the next three hundred years, the Ning Dynasty would not experience any wars.

But at this moment, Shen Mingshu also felt some despair in her heart; she did not know where she could find salvation for Shenzhou.

Facing such formidable military power, helpless as a civil official.

But she could not sit idly by awaiting death.

"Master of Highest Heaven Tower..." Shen Mingshu murmured, her eyes gradually becoming resolute.

They say King of Chu in prosperity, King of Qin in adversity, King of Yan in desperation, and now in a deadly predicament... she must find the Master of Highest Heaven Tower.

Shen Mingshu mounted a horse and headed towards the direction of the Highest Heaven Tower.

Ye Wanlan’s expression changed, "Teacher..."

In the last moment, Shen Mingshu actually went to find the Master of Highest Heaven Tower?!