The Abused Novel Heroine Became a Clingy Sweetheart [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 48.2
The third day of next month was the official start of the imperial examination.
They had to meet one more time on the thirtieth of this month.
You Ting set the meeting place at—
Song Yaozi covered her mouth and let out a light gasp of surprise: “The Grand Tutor’s manor?”
Although through You Ting’s explanation, Song Yaozi knew this was the best method right now.
But just thinking about what they would do when they met again, her heart felt as if a fire had suddenly been lit.
Burning her into a state of panic.
The previous two times were in unfamiliar places, but this time, it was to be in the Grand Tutor’s manor, where she had lived since childhood.
Just thinking about it made the tips of Song Yaozi’s ears blush crimson with shame.
She forced herself to remain calm, skimming through the letter quickly, when her gaze suddenly paused.
You Ting wrote in the letter that the small round box contained medicine she had specifically found.
Last time she had hurt her, and applying the medicine would help her heal faster.
Song Yaozi’s face immediately flushed “boom.”
Those unclear memories rushed back one after another.
In that room imbued with Zen philosophy, they were entangled and intimate behind the gauze curtains.
Exchanging breaths and body heat.
At a certain moment, she let out an unbearable whimper: “…It hurts.”
The woman embraced her, kissed the corner of her lips soothingly, and whispered: “I’ll be gentler.”
She thought she wouldn’t remember, but the memories deliberately seemed to defy her, every detail crystal clear.
Song Yaozi was so ashamed she buried her face in her arms. After a long time, she finally recovered.
Enduring the embarrassment, Song Yaozi placed the letter in a box and locked it with a small lock.
She then took out the small round box and held it in her palm.
Song Yaozi stroked the smooth exterior of the box with her finger, and her fingertip seemed to be lightly stained with the orchid fragrance.
Her small face was slightly red. She wanted to throw it away, but in the end, she just clenched the box and did nothing.
…
…
The news of the Princess of Dingxi Commandery, Qi Yuan, entering the capital spread quickly through the streets and alleys.
Opinions were diverse, and many outrageous conspiracy theories even arose.
At this moment, Qi Yuan was still in the palace paying her respects to Emperor Ningjing.
In fact, the matter was not as complicated as others imagined. Emperor Ningjing summoned her to the capital simply because the Northwest was peaceful now, and Qi Yuan’s troops would not be needed for a while.
The imperial examination was imminent, and this year’s female students were the highest number ever.
One of Emperor Ningjing’s purposes in summoning Qi Yuan back was to have her participate in this grand event.
In addition to civil officials, perhaps women could also participate in the military examination.
If the results of the female candidates in this imperial examination were good, it could silence those in the court who clamored to abolish the policy of female officials.
Emperor Ningjing intended to take the opportunity to have Qi Yuan take charge of the female military examination.
After listening to Emperor Ningjing’s words, Qi Yuan was stunned: “I thought Your Majesty…”
She stopped speaking, and Emperor Ningjing smiled and completed the unsaid words for her: “What, did you think I was unwilling to promote the policy of female officials?”
Qi Yuan remained silent.
Emperor Ningjing sighed deeply.
A ruler’s vision should be long-term.
No matter what decision is made, it requires weighing the pros and cons and judging the gains and losses.
He hadn’t vigorously implemented it before because he hadn’t seen how much benefit the policy could bring him.
But later, while reviewing memorials, he gradually discovered that, compared to men, the female officials’ work was always more meticulous.
In many aspects of insight, women also possessed wisdom not inferior to men.
Coupled with the fact that Grand Tutor Song was now old, he might pass away at any time.
Emperor Ningjing was a contradictory man, both cold-hearted and deeply affectionate.
He highly respected and valued this loyal old minister.
Song Yaozi was Grand Tutor Song’s only granddaughter, and Emperor Ningjing knew that Grand Tutor Song did not wish for Song Yaozi to become the consort of any prince.
Of course, Emperor Ningjing did not wish for it either.
The prophecy of the “Song family’s phoenix girl” was, for the monarch, like a fishbone stuck in his throat.
The best way was for Song Yaozi to directly become an official in the court.
Emperor Ningjing’s policy of promoting female officials was, in part, a way to promote Song Yaozi.
It was a plan for the Song family after Grand Tutor Song passed away.
He naturally wouldn’t openly tell Qi Yuan about these intricate layers.
So, he just smiled: “Dingxi, if I hand this matter over to you, are you confident you can accomplish it?”
Qi Yuan raised her head, her eyes bright: “Dingxi will surely live up to Your Majesty’s expectations!”
“Good!” Emperor Ningjing laughed heartily, “As expected of the King of the Northwest’s excellent daughter!”
He then suddenly whispered: “I have so many princesses, but not one of them can compare to you.”
As he said this, an image inexplicably appeared in Emperor Ningjing’s mind.
He thought, that one, he seemed to have never properly looked at her.
The emperor had countless children, and sometimes he himself couldn’t remember everyone’s title.
But Shunan was different.
When she was born, Emperor Ningjing desperately wanted to kill her, but ultimately he considered Consort Shu’s health and did not do so.
The imperial physician said that Consort Shu had damaged her health during childbirth and might not conceive again in the future.
Upon hearing this news, Emperor Ningjing sat alone in the room all night.
He thought this was probably the retribution heaven was giving him.
The palace servants asked him what title he wanted to bestow upon the little princess.
Emperor Ningjing didn’t even want to look at her, let alone give her a name.
Finally, Consort Shu personally chose the title and name—Shunan (Peaceful and Safe), Tinglan (Listening to the Waves).
She hoped her child would be safe and healthy, observing the sea and listening to the waves, free from storms and troubles.
Emperor Ningjing still remembered Consort Shu, extremely weak at the time, looking up at him and asking: “Is that okay? Can you do it?”
He couldn’t remember how long it had been since she had spoken to him, and he immediately nodded with surprise and agreement.
That was her only request to him, but it seemed he hadn’t fulfilled it either.
For all these years, he allowed Shunan to be ignored and bullied in the palace, her resources withheld.
He thought that by doing so, he could see fear and submission to him on that similar face.
But there was none.
That child was stubborn, just as stubborn as her mother.
Qi Yuan did not follow up on Emperor Ningjing’s comment. After Emperor Ningjing recovered his focus, they chatted a bit more before she requested to leave.
“Oh, by the way,” Emperor Ningjing said, “The residence being built for you isn’t ready yet. You can stay in the Gongyuan with Shunan for the time being.”
Emperor Ningjing smiled: “It’ll be good to see the excitement of the imperial examination, and you and Shunan will have company.”
Qi Yuan agreed.
She knew the name of this Emperor’s eldest daughter, but had never met her.
Emperor Ningjing was willing to let Princess Shunan serve as the Vice Examiner, so he must value this Princess quite a bit, right?
If she were to organize the female military examination later, she might have to interact with this Princess.
Thinking this, after leaving Emperor Ningjing, Qi Yuan had people gather information about Princess Shunan the next day.
The results were completely different from what she had expected.
Emperor Ningjing, far from valuing Princess Shunan, seemed to dislike her intensely.
Qi Yuan frowned, feeling confused.
Based on her previous meeting with Emperor Ningjing, he seemed intent on promoting the policy of female officials.
But he chose a Princess he didn’t value to implement this matter.
It was truly puzzling whether he intended to do it or not.
Perhaps this was the way of an emperor, impossible to fathom.
Qi Yuan rubbed her head in frustration and stopped thinking about it.
Seeing is believing, she decided to personally go and see what kind of person this Princess Shunan was.
The attendant asked: “Princess, where would you like to go?”
Qi Yuan thought for a moment. Emperor Ningjing seemed to have said that the examiners all had to live together, and he also asked her to temporarily move there.
What was that place called…
After a slight pause, she said: “The Gongyuan.”
The attendant looked at her in surprise, then agreed, and quickly prepared the horse.
Qi Yuan disliked traveling in a carriage, so she maintained the Northwest custom of riding a horse herself on the street.
The attendant was more familiar with the capital than she was, and rode ahead to lead the way.
Before long, the group appeared at the entrance of the Gongyuan.
“Princess,” the attendant said, “This is the place.”
Qi Yuan raised her eyes and looked at the gleaming plaque under the sun.
She was about to dismount when she suddenly heard a commotion in front.
Looking closely, it seemed that several people were surrounding one person at the entrance of the Gongyuan.
The Gongyuan guards were all looking troubled, surrounding them but seemingly hesitant to intervene.
Qi Yuan was surprised: “Why are there always such bizarre incidents in the capital?”
She had thought the public security in the capital would be better than in their Northwest.
But the situation she had seen in the past two days made Qi Yuan feel that the imperial capital was not as good as she had imagined.
Qi Yuan pulled the reins, urging her horse forward quickly.
The attendant tried to stop her, but it was too late.
The long spear broke through the wind and landed directly in front of the group of people, startling them and stopping their advance.
“Who goes there? How dare you cause trouble in front of the Gongyuan!”
The few people shouted angrily, looking for the direction from which the spear had come.
Qi Yuan’s horse arrived right in front. She smoothly flipped off the horse, landing steadily on the ground.
“It’s me.”
Qi Yuan walked over, picked up the long spear, and held it horizontally in front of the group, her eyes sharp as she asked: “You are bullying one with many, how do you still have the audacity to question me?”
She slightly tilted her head and asked the lone person: “Are you alright?”
He Changsi was stunned, “I’m fine, this young lady…”
His words were interrupted by He Ting.
He Ting said with a smile: “Sister, are you perhaps mistaken? I was not bringing people to bully my Second Imperial Brother!”
He blinked innocently: “Ting’er is very well-behaved, Ting’er just wanted to show Second Imperial Brother the new pet Ting’er is raising.”
Second Imperial Brother?
Qi Yuan keenly caught this keyword.
These two were princes?
Her mind turned, and the long spear in her hand slowly retracted.
The attendant rushed over, finally catching up.
While frantically signaling Qi Yuan, he bowed and said: “Greetings to the Second Prince and the Seventh Prince.”
The attendant said: “The Princess of the Commandery has only recently arrived in the capital. For any disturbance caused to the two Princes, this old servant apologizes on behalf of the Princess.”
He Changsi politely helped him up, and said warmly: “So it is the Princess of Dingxi Commandery. It’s just a misunderstanding, it’s nothing.”
Hearing the title Princess of Dingxi Commandery, He Ting’s eyes flashed with eagerness.
He wondered if this Princess of Dingxi Commandery would be more interesting than Sister Shunan?
He Changsi acted as the mediator, and the matter was settled.
He hadn’t expected to run into He Ting today.
Perhaps because You Ting had hit He Zhige and He Ting in front of He Changsi that day, He Ting felt there was no need to keep up appearances in front of He Changsi.
The image of the previously obedient and innocent younger brother completely collapsed. He Ting had been pestering He Changsi, insisting on showing him his new pet, a poisonous scorpion.
He Changsi had been so frightened that he backed away repeatedly.
This was what led to Qi Yuan’s misunderstanding.
After listening to his explanation, Qi Yuan silently drew a conclusion in her mind:
You princes are truly sick.
Will this country really fall apart?
She wondered if it was too late to have her father defect to the enemy country now.
He Changsi asked: “Princess of Dingxi Commandery, why have you come to the Gongyuan today?”
Qi Yuan repeated Emperor Ningjing’s words, saying she was here to find Princess Shunan.
He Changsi was stunned for a moment, and said: “But, Imperial Sister Shunan is not in the Gongyuan right now.”
Qi Yuan was also stunned.
The two looked at each other for a long time. He Changsi suddenly smiled: “If the Princess doesn’t mind, let me take the Princess on a tour of the capital today first.”
“Imperial Sister Shunan will move in in a few days. The Princess can come back then, it won’t be too late.”
Qi Yuan met his clear and gentle gaze, and suddenly felt that this country might still have a little hope.
The matter of asking her father to commit treason could be postponed for now.
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