Starting with Intercepting and Marrying the Eldest Princess - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: “I am the Grand Princess’s Dog!”…

Next to the square where the literary gathering was held, there was a two-story restaurant. Although its business was usually average, its current advantageous location naturally made it the first choice for many people who couldn’t sit on the viewing platform or didn’t want to.

The private rooms on the second floor, overlooking the square, were all occupied, allowing people to watch the ceremony from above.

In the room with the best view, a woman wearing a veil sat by the window. Her white attire made her appear cold and ethereal, yet sitting in a wheelchair created a sense of fragile beauty, making people feel an urge to protect her, while at the same time, an uncontrollable desire to profane her.

“Your Highn… Miss, your leg has not fully recovered. What if someone with ulterior motives discovers you left today?”

Xiao Yu, standing nearby, felt a pang of worry. After Xie Ning and Xiao Zhu left, Pei Shujing and the two of them also took a detour to arrive here.

Pei Shujing’s expression remained detached, and she said faintly: “I was idle anyway. Consider it entertainment.”

In the room right next to theirs, two men and a woman were also focusing their attention on the gathering venue.

“Wanwan, you insisted on leaving the palace just to come here?” one of the teenage boys asked, perplexed.

The girl named Wang Wan leaned her head on the boy’s shoulder with a slightly troubled look: “Although I haven’t been in the palace for long, I still miss my family. Since my father is hosting this literary gathering, I thought I would feel better if I could see him from a distance.”

The Emperor’s expression softened. He stroked Wang Wan’s beautiful hair: “If Grand Secretary Wang knew Wan’er had such filial piety, he would surely be overjoyed. But it’s best not to let the State Grandee know, or I might be scolded by him.”

Wang Wan smiled faintly, giving him a look that was both mournful and shyly annoyed: “Your Majesty is talking nonsense. My father cannot bear the title of State Grandee. If you let…”

Wang Wan stopped there, but the Emperor understood her meaning. When he thought of the Empress, his face immediately darkened.

As the Empress, she doesn’t think about how to be a model for the world, but instead spends all day wielding a sword and a gun in the imperial harem!

The Emperor sneered: A woman should be at home educating her children and helping her husband. Why be so overbearing all the time!

The Empress is like this, and the Grand Princess is also like this!

Just as the Emperor’s face was fluctuating, Wang Wan suddenly asked with some confusion: “Why is someone attending the literary gathering and bringing a maid in?”

The Emperor followed the direction of Wang Wan’s finger, frowning.

Isn’t that Xie Jing? Why is he here?

Connecting this to the recent rumors of Xie Jing breaking ties with the Xie family, the Emperor was also puzzled by Xie Jing’s motive.

Where does he get his confidence? Does he think marrying my sister gives him backing?

Or perhaps… this is a play put on by the Xie family and Xie Jing, aiming to gain my sister’s trust…

It must be so. He didn’t believe that spineless Xie Jing had the guts to betray him and the Xie family. However, that old fox Xie Mao was truly willing to go to great lengths to help him obtain the military power.

The thought of his sister’s thirty thousand Zhennan Army (South-Pacifying Army) falling into his hands made the Emperor excited.

In his good mood, the Emperor was happy to explain to Wang Wan: “Wanwan does not know, but he is my sister’s Imperial Son-in-Law, Xie Jing.”

Wang Wan was startled. As if thinking of something, her expression suddenly became downcast: “Your Majesty, will the Grand Princess not like me…”

The Emperor was puzzled: “Why do you say that, Wanwan?”

Wang Wan shook her head: “I went to pay my respects to the Empress, but the Empress seemed to greatly look down on my gentle nature. I also heard that the Empress is greatly favored by the Grand Princess. I am afraid…”

The Emperor snorted coldly: “You are my woman. I will naturally protect you.”

Wang Wan leaned into the Emperor’s arms, deeply touched: “With Your Majesty’s words, I am at ease.”

In the next room, Xie Yunfeng and Xie Yunhao sat leisurely, sipping small cups of wine while watching the venue, waiting for Xie Ning’s appearance.

Xie Ning, at this time, naturally didn’t know how many people were focusing their attention on her; one could call it an “all-star” audience.

She was still curious about how this literary gathering worked.

“We have many attendees today, so we will dispense with the liushang qushui (floating cups on winding water) and drinking games. The first three rounds are for shared appreciation of art, and the final round will be won by poetry and prose! All registered participants, please volunteer. Those who wish to step forward, let us share this grand event, celebrate the nation, celebrate the empire, and celebrate His Majesty!”

Simply put, each table corresponded to a round, and each round had a gatekeeper.

When a participant arrived at each round, the gatekeeper would take out a tray with dozens of tiles. The participant would flip one tile and then answer based on the prompt.

A correct answer meant advancement; a wrong answer meant elimination.

Those who passed advanced to the fourth round, where they would choose a topic to write a poem or prose. The works would be judged for quality, and the final winner would be the ultimate top scholar (Wen Kui).

When the presiding scholar finished speaking, the students in the arena became active.

Xiao Zhu frowned, looking at the leisurely-faced Xie Ning, puzzled: “Aren’t you worried about failing the rounds?”

Xie Ning spread her hands: “Who told you I was going to participate in the rounds? I only need to rush onto the stage at the end and shout, right?”

Xiao Zhu was stunned, then nodded silently: “Reasonable.”

As they spoke, a group of students had already proceeded to the third round. The Zhou Xiang who had chatted with Xie Ning earlier was among them. The poem prompt he finally drew was “Diligence”.

Zhou Xiang contemplated silently for a while and then slowly recited:

(Waking at dawn and returning at dusk, what is the pursuit? Only diligence is kept in mind. The lamp before the desk is lit throughout the night, using books and scriptures as a bitter boat.)

“Excellent, excellent. This poem appears ordinary but is actually simple and easy to understand. It is expected to have a high rate of circulation and is perfect as an encouragement-to-study poem.”

Grand Secretary Wang Yan spoke first, prompting the other great scholars to gradually agree.

“Old Zhong, judging by this child’s writing style, he must be your disciple, correct?”

The scholar surnamed Zhong also stroked his gray beard contentedly: “This child’s name is Zhou Xiang. Though his talent is average, he is the most practical of my disciples.”

Grand Secretary Wang secretly laughed but raised his wine cup with an impassive expression: “We should drink to this.”

The students below also applauded and offered effusive praise.

Xie Ning was utterly confused. Didn’t they say there was no first place in literature?

Looking at the mutual praise, where was the arrogance of a scholar?

Xiao Zhu seemed to read her confusion and said mockingly: “Do you think the people sitting on the stage are useless? They must be respected. It’s fine to mock them, but once you really do, you will be labeled as frivolous. So, no matter how much these students despise each other in their hearts, they won’t show it.”

Boring.

She had thought she would see scholars tearing each other apart.

As one student after another made their appearance, the attendees began to have some idea of who the top scholar would be.

Just when everyone thought the outcome was decided, Xie Ning took a step forward.

Xiao Zhu was confused: “Didn’t you say you weren’t going to participate in the rounds?”

Xie Ning yawned: “If I wait any longer, I’ll fall asleep. I’ll play for a bit; it won’t affect the plan anyway.”

The scholars on the stage frowned when they saw the person approaching, and one whispered: “Isn’t that Xie Jing?”

They had attended the Grand Princess’s wedding a few days ago, so they naturally recognized the Imperial Son-in-Law.

The dignitaries sitting on both sides also hadn’t expected to see Xie Jing here and immediately burst into laughter.

One person shouted at Xie Ning: “Imperial Son-in-Law, why do you join every bit of fun? Aren’t you afraid your mistress will call someone to take you home again?”

Another person shouted: “Brother Jing, I support you! If all else fails, I’ll help you overturn this place too!”

Xie Ning glanced over and recognized that person as Li Jing.

Xie Ning ignored him and turned to the first table.

“Question one, a word riddle: Left side green, right side red.”

“Question two, a word riddle: With a person, it’s not me; with a horse, it runs quickly; with water, it can raise fish; with soil, crops can live.”

“Question three, a word riddle: The right side has it, the left side does not; the back has it, the front does not; the older brother has it, the younger brother does not; the Zhou family has it, the Li family does not.”

Xie Ning pondered for a moment and answered loudly: “Qiū, Yě, Kou.” (Autumn, Also, Mouth – the answers to the riddles.)

The gatekeeper nodded slightly, indicating that Xie Ning had answered correctly.

A roar of discussion erupted. Everyone looked at Xie Ning, who continued to stride forward, surprised and astonished.

What’s going on?

Xie Jing can actually answer them!

Xie Yunfeng, on the second floor of the restaurant, scoffed: “He has some slight cleverness. Don’t worry, Elder Brother. My plan is foolproof.”

Xie Ning had already arrived at the second round, couplets.

The gatekeeper slightly closed his eyes and tapped his palm: “The bow is strong (gōng suī), but the stone is hard (shí gèng).”

The students in the arena hadn’t even had time to think after hearing the first line when a clear, calm voice opened up and recited:

“A person who grows old will be buried in the soil (rén yī lao jiù tuli mái).” (A subtle and appropriate match based on character decomposition and meaning.)

The students: …

The gatekeeper stopped short as he was about to stroke his gray beard: “Acceptable. You pass.”

Wang Wan was shaking with laughter in the Emperor’s arms: “Your Majesty, the Imperial Son-in-Law is truly amusing.”

The Emperor also smiled: “Xie Jing does have some quick wit.”

The third round was a math problem.

“Problem: One hundred buns and one hundred monks. The great monks take three, with no contention. The small monks take three to divide one. How many great monks and small monks are there?”

Xie Ning pondered briefly and used the method of “chicken and rabbit in a cage” to solve the answer: Twenty-five great monks, and seventy-five small monks.

Around them, the onlookers silently swallowed their saliva.

Xie Jing actually passed all three rounds.

How is that possible!

Some students who failed the three rounds were flushed with shame. They couldn’t even outperform the capital’s biggest gigolo, which was a “shame for scholars.”

But the dignitaries on both sides had different thoughts. Li Jing, in particular, cheered loudly for Xie Ning as the “Light of the Aristocracy!”

Xiao Yu asked curiously: “Miss, do you think he will listen to you?”

Pei Shujing curled her lips: “Xie Jing is the most arrogant person. If he truly expresses his love for this Princess publicly, he will be cursed and scorned by everyone. Moreover, how could he bring himself to do it in front of these great scholars.”

Xiao Yu nodded noncommittally.

In the venue, Xie Ning had already walked in front of the great scholars and Grand Secretary Wang Yan.

Xie Ning bowed to them. Grand Secretary Wang chuckled: “It is fortunate for this gathering that the Imperial Son-in-Law has come. This old man need not provide a prompt. Imperial Son-in-Law, please perform as you wish.”

Xie Ning nodded, turned, and faced all the spectators below the stage.

Pei Shujing in the restaurant suddenly had an ominous feeling.

Xie Ning took a deep breath and shouted loudly.

“I, Xie Jing, am the Grand Princess’s dog!”

Once, the scholars on the stage were dumbfounded.

Twice, the audience below was silent.

Thrice, Shujing fled in terror.

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