Chapter 058: Cursive Script

No one expected Yao Xi to say such things.

Only Xiao Shu and Chen Shuyi, who were close to her, seemed unsurprised, as if they had known all along.

You Yue, however, widened her eyes in disbelief and even exclaimed, “No way, Sister Yao Xi suddenly likes Zhang Zhe?!”

Everyone still remembered clearly Yao Xi’s attitude towards her engagement with Zhang Zhe the last time she entered the palace.

How could her attitude change just because the engagement was called off?

Everyone found it a bit puzzling.

Since sending out that letter in the morning, Yao Xi’s heart had never been so anxious. She was worried about Zhang Zhe’s reaction, but at the same time, she couldn’t ignore a sense of anticipation.

She hoped Zhang Zhe would be pleasantly surprised by her decision.

After all, knowing that he was currently struggling and still willing to marry him, there weren’t many girls like that in the world. Any normal man would be moved by her reply, right?

If she had heard You Yue say such a thing a few days ago, she would have wholeheartedly agreed. But now, it sounded very harsh.

She was going to marry Zhang Zhe.

What was You Yue’s problem with Zhang Zhe?

Yao Xi’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. She glanced at You Yue and said coldly, “There’s nothing wrong with Zhang Zhe.”

“……”

You Yue was immediately speechless.

Even the dullest person could see from Yao Xi’s attitude that she had probably said something wrong, so she awkwardly smiled and said, “Yes, yes.”

However, when she closed her mouth, her expression towards Yao Xi was somewhat indescribable.

When Yao Xi turned away, not seeing her, You Yue couldn’t help but curl her lips slightly: She had seen people who went back on their word and those who denied their own words, but she had never seen someone do it so thoroughly. Didn’t she feel embarrassed? Earlier, she had belittled Zhang Zhe, saying he was worthless, and now she had the nerve to scold her!

A trace of disdain flashed in You Yue’s eyes.

Jiang Xuening watched coldly, noting this disdain, and calmly thought that even among this group of people who stuck together, there were still internal conflicts.

She should have laughed out loud at this discovery.

But looking at Yao Xi’s shy and timid demeanor while talking to everyone, her lips felt weighed down, unable to form a proper smile.

Suddenly, she felt a bit of hatred towards Zhang Zhe.

And also towards herself.

Why was she so foolish in her previous life, insisting on deceiving Zhang Zhe into thinking she wanted to be a good person?

That evening, Jiang Xuening sat in the Liushui Pavilion for a long time, but she didn’t hear a word of what others read, asked, or answered.

The next morning, she woke up in a gloomy mood.

But she still had to go to class at the Fengchen Hall.

There were five subjects in total, taught by four teachers. Yesterday, they studied the “Book of Songs” and the zither. Today, in the morning, they were to study “Calligraphy” with the “Eighteen Models of Cursive Script” and “Rites” with the “Book of Rites.” The “Literature” class taught by Xie Wei, along with mathematics, was scheduled for the next morning.

Jiang Xuening and the others arrived a quarter of an hour early as usual.

Normally, Princess Leyang, Shen Zhiyi, would arrive a bit late but still before the class started. However, to everyone’s surprise, even after the Hanlin Academy’s Reader-in-Waiting, Wang Jiu, entered the hall, Shen Zhiyi was nowhere to be seen.

“Why hasn’t Her Highness the Princess arrived yet?”

“Calligraphy is the first class, isn’t it? It’s not good to miss it…”

“Didn’t any palace servants inform her?”

Everyone whispered among themselves.

Wang Jiu, the Tutor-in-Waiting, was in his forties, with a stiff black beard and an elegant scholarly appearance. Seeing that it was almost time for class and noticing the empty seat in the middle of the front row, he asked, “Hasn’t Her Highness the Princess arrived? What’s going on?”

Everyone shook their heads.

Wang Jiu frowned and lightly hummed, “Her Highness the Princess is greatly favored by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. It’s normal for her not to wake up early or not want to come. If she doesn’t come, so be it.”

The room fell silent, as everyone sensed that Master Wang was not pleased and dared not speak.

Jiang Xuening, sitting in the corner, stood up upon hearing this, bowed to Wang Jiu, and said calmly, “Her Highness the Princess personally requested this opportunity to study from the Emperor. She is very pleased to have the esteemed teachers instructing us. Yesterday, she arrived early, just like us, and adhered to the rules set by the teachers. She is not someone who shirks hardship. There must be a reason for her being late today. I hope you can be understanding and not blame her.”

Princess Leyang, Shen Zhiyi, was known for being spoiled and arrogant, which was no secret in the palace.

Even Wang Jiu, and the other companions present, subconsciously thought Shen Zhiyi would treat this study session casually. Given her status as a princess, she could come and go as she pleased, and no one would dare to say anything.

Therefore, after hearing Wang Jiu’s words, no one felt anything was wrong.

But when Jiang Xuening spoke up…

Her words were tactful, and her attitude was very humble. It seemed she was merely explaining for Shen Zhiyi, but when these words were directed at Wang Jiu, the meaning became a bit subtle.

People who play with words can always guess ten meanings from one sentence.

Even though she didn’t seem to mean any disrespect, the listeners couldn’t help but feel displeased.

Wang Jiu’s gaze immediately fell on Jiang Xuening. He suddenly remembered what his colleague Zhao Yanchang, who taught poetry and literature at the Hanlin Academy, had said yesterday. Among these young female companions, there was one sitting in the corner who was particularly disobedient, the second daughter of Assistant Minister Jiang Boyou, Jiang Xuening, who was like a thorn.

He hadn’t paid much attention to it.

Unexpectedly, before he even started the class, she was already causing trouble.

Wang Jiu said, “I just made a casual remark. Are you saying I wronged the Princess?”

Although Jiang Xuening didn’t attend classes much in her previous life, she knew that the pampered Princess Leyang, Shen Zhiyi, had never missed a class and was genuinely eager to learn.

Wang Jiu clearly had a prejudice against Shen Zhiyi, judging her unfairly.

So she wanted to stand up and clarify, thinking she had been very tactful and mindful of her tone, but she didn’t expect the teacher’s reaction to be so strong. She frowned slightly and explained, “That was not my intention.”

Wang Jiu’s face turned cold, “Not your intention?”

He couldn’t resist the urge to reprimand this young girl, and it was a good opportunity to establish his authority as a teacher.

Unexpectedly, just as he finished speaking, a young eunuch hurriedly ran in from outside.

“The Empress Dowager of Kunning Palace has a message for the teacher,” the young eunuch bowed at the door, with a bit of sweat on his forehead, “There was an incident in the palace a few days ago. The Empress Dowager and the Empress are currently investigating the Internal Affairs Department. The main figures of the six palaces have all been summoned. Her Highness the Princess is also there, accompanying the Emperor. She was supposed to attend class today, but due to urgent matters, she couldn’t leave. She sent me to apologize to the teacher and hopes for your understanding.”

“Ah…”

Upon hearing the names of the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and even the Emperor, Wang Jiu’s expression changed several times.

At this moment, there was no trace of the arrogance he had shown towards Jiang Xuening earlier.

He clasped his hands together and bowed towards the empty space, saying, “With the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress above, if Her Highness the Princess has urgent matters and cannot attend, missing one class is no problem. I will make up the lesson for Her Highness another day. Please convey this to the Emperor and assure him.”

The young eunuch acknowledged and, after bowing again, hurriedly left.

He seemed somewhat anxious and uneasy.

When Jiang Xuening heard the words “investigating the Internal Affairs Department,” her heart skipped a beat. She thought of the Jade Ruyi case and, seeing the young eunuch’s expression, knew that there would likely be turmoil in the palace in the coming days.

As for the Yongyi Marquis’ residence…

Wang Jiu, however, didn’t notice all this.

Just as he was about to reprimand Jiang Xuening, he was interrupted by the message from Kunning Palace, leaving him somewhat embarrassed.