The topic had shifted so suddenly that Jiang Wang couldn't quite react.
What he'd been thinking was that no matter how strong someone was, accidents were always possible...
But of course he wouldn't dare say that aloud. He didn't want to be carried out of Changle Palace lying down.
So he said, "Jiang Wang is dull-witted. I truly don't know."
Jiang Wuhua leaned back, sat up straight, and said, "Let's return to the Official Path."
Jiang Wang: ...
He realized that although the Crown Prince of the East Palace had always been renowned for his generosity and plain living, he was actually a little "mischievous" himself!
Jiang Wuhua continued, "The Official Path has two sides to it. When you fulfill your duties, popular support grows; when you neglect them, popular support declines. Take the Outer Tower, for example. If the people under your governance live in harmony and all affairs run smoothly, that can naturally help you anchor yourself in the Present World. But if the people are driven to destitution, the pull of popular support and tangled karma will only make you lose your way!"
In other words, if you governed well, the Official Path aided your cultivation. If you governed poorly, it would instead drag a cultivator down.
Jiang Wang wasn't foolish enough to ask the Heir Apparent about his own affairs, so he considered this and said, "If that's the case, shouldn't people serving as officials in this world avoid indulging in idleness?"
Jiang Wuhua smiled. "That also has to do with talent. Talent covers a wide range. Some people have a gift for cultivation, but not for governing. Others are capable officials, yet clumsy on the path of cultivation. It's not enough to want to be a good official—you have to be able to do the