Chapter 31

The atmosphere inexplicably went quiet. Qiu Jinning looked at her silently.

Qin Chu explained again, “Really. The one thing our Qin family lacks least is silver.”

Qiu Jinning pressed her red lips together slightly. “Miss Qin is absolutely right.”

This person’s family wealth was vast. She could buy a residence worth tens of thousands of taels without even blinking. Master Qin had truly taken great pains to accumulate so much family property for his son and daughter.

Qin Chu immediately had nothing to say. She helped Guanzi carry the boxes. The household was simple, and all the people she had hired had been used at the winery.

Not far away, several gazes watched the Qin residence until the main gate shut tightly, yet they still did not leave.

At a rough glance, there were four groups of people. The three princes knew the other two brothers had definitely sent people, so they tacitly did not expose one another. But which side did the extra group belong to?

Could it be Imperial Mother’s?

With this guess, the three brothers immediately became even more afraid to act rashly.

Just as the city gates were about to close, one group quietly withdrew and went straight out of the city.

“Master, we found the phoenix maiden from the prophecy. All three princes have made some moves.”

Behind the curtain sat two people. One could vaguely tell they were both women.

“Then enter the capital tomorrow.” A woman’s voice sounded softly, carrying a trace of melancholy.

The next day, a piece of news spread through the streets and alleys of the capital: Commandery Princess Anguo had returned to the capital.

Qin Chu, dressed in scarlet, sat on the second floor of the wine tavern. Listening to the commotion among the drinkers downstairs, she found that almost all of them were discussing that Commandery Princess Anguo.

After listening for the whole morning, she had also heard some things.

Commandery Princess Anguo was the late emperor’s child. She had originally been a princess, but had lived outside the palace since childhood. After growing up, she returned to the capital to inherit the throne, yet on the day of her enthronement, she voluntarily abdicated in favor of someone more worthy, passing the throne to her half-sister, who was the current female emperor, Zhou Xun.

As for herself, she asked only for the title of commandery princess. She did not use the imperial surname and did not regard herself as a princess.

If that were all, it would not be too strange. What was strange was that this person was deeply fond of tending fields. Most of her life had been devoted to agricultural development, and her footprints covered all parts of Baiyue. She had compiled the first Complete Book of Baiyue Agriculture and Sericulture.

This book was vigorously promoted by the court, spread widely among the common people, and benefited countless people.

Therefore, this commandery princess’s reputation among the common people was no lower than the female emperor’s. One could even say that in the future, she would surely leave her name in history.

Qin Chu looked down at the drinkers downstairs while flipping through Baiyue history. Not only did this dynasty have many modern things, it had also produced many extraordinary people. For example, Song Cheng, the seventh prince of the previous dynasty, who founded [bailiantales.com]Upstairs Tower and introduced hotpot. And several hundred years ago, there had also been a prince consort who mastered ice-making, iron smelting, and other technologies. They all looked like modern people.

At this moment, a pale green figure appeared downstairs. Qin Chu closed the book.

“Miss Qiu, hurry into the private room.” Qin Chu led Qiu Jinning upstairs. Downstairs was full of the smell of alcohol, so it was unsuitable to stay there long.

After Qiu Jinning entered, she took out a gilded invitation. “It was sent by the Second Prince’s side.”

Qin Chu accepted it and took a look, somewhat puzzled. “Why is Commandery Princess Anguo the host? Could that commandery princess be on the Second Prince’s side?”

Just now, she had even felt some goodwill toward this commandery princess she had yet to meet. A person whose heart was tied to the common people should not have bad character.

Unexpectedly, she was on the Second Prince’s side.

“This banquet is meant to entertain the provincial top scholars from various prefectures who have entered the capital for the exam. But the Second Prince’s people passed on a message saying that you should also go.”

Qiu Jinning could vaguely guess why the invitation had been sent from Prince Xian’s residence. The relationship between the Second Prince and that Commandery Princess Anguo was likely very good—good enough that he did not need to hide their identities from her, nor hide the fact that Qiu Jinning was the phoenix maiden and Qin Chu was the shield.

Qin Chu was startled. “I’m going too? I’m not a provincial top scholar. Under what name would I go?” “Provincial top scholar” referred to those who had placed first in the juren examination in each prefecture. For example, Qiu Jinning was one.

Qiu Jinning raised her eyes to look at her. There was no ripple in her gaze. “The Second Prince did not say. So I was thinking you could go as my family member.”

“Whose family member?”

Qiu Jinning looked away. “Mine.”

Qin Chu’s heart stirred, and she nodded in agreement. Qiu Jinning’s family member—she rather liked that title.

A few days later, everyone gathered at the largest Upstairs Tower on Zhuque Street. Commandery Princess Anguo had directly booked the entire place for the whole day. No outside guests were received; only those with invitations could enter.

The main hall downstairs was for the provincial top scholars from various prefectures who had come for the exam. Baiyue had twenty-one prefectures and one autonomous province, so at most twenty-two provincial top scholars could be selected each year. Adding those from previous years who had not yet passed the jinshi examination, there were only a little over thirty people in total, occupying one-third of the hall.

Upstairs, only the princes waited quietly.

Because everyone knew this commandery princess was deeply favored by the emperor, all of them were cautious in word and action. No one spoke carelessly.

“Commandery Princess Anguo has arrived.”

With that loud announcement, the hall immediately stirred, then quickly quieted down. Those upstairs and downstairs all knelt together. “Greetings, Commandery Princess Anguo.”

The woman who entered was around forty or fifty, with a kind face, looking somewhat approachable.

The woman dressed in black waved her hand. This person was Commandery Princess Anguo, Bai Zhi.

After having everyone rise, she glanced upstairs, then [bailiantales.com]directly sat in the main hall without going upstairs.

And the seat she chose happened to be Qin Chu and Qiu Jinning’s table.

When the Second Prince and the others upstairs saw that Commandery Princess Anguo had not gone up, they all came downstairs. The upper floor immediately became empty.

“This nephew, this consort, greets Imperial Aunt.”

The three princes and Princess Consort Wei knelt together and greeted her once more.

Among the three, only the First Prince had an official consort, so among the female members of the imperial family, only she had come.

Commandery Princess Anguo slowly swept her gaze around and told them to take their seats. “Today, just treat this as a family banquet. No need for excessive courtesy.”

Qin Chu and Qiu Jinning exchanged a glance. Just as they were about to take the initiative to move tables and give their seats to the three princes, they heard Commandery Princess Anguo say, “You two stay here. There is no need to be formal.”

After speaking, she looked at the three nephews standing to the side. “You three go sit over there. Madam Chu, stay here with me.”

There were still many empty seats nearby, but only Princess Consort Wei was kept behind.

The Second Prince was the first to sit. This imperial aunt was said to have grown up among the common people and had not returned to the capital for many years because of her research into agriculture and sericulture. She did not pay much attention to the rules of the imperial family, and the way she handled things was somewhat unconventional.

Yet the female emperor respected her greatly and had repeatedly wanted to confer the title of Princess Anguo upon her, only to be refused. The Read on BaiLianTalesemperor had said frankly that the title of commandery princess wronged her elder sister.

Seeing everyone take their seats, dishes and wine were brought to the table one after another. Commandery Princess Anguo looked at Qiu Jinning and casually asked, “Which prefecture’s provincial top scholar are you?”

Qiu Jinning answered respectfully, “This official’s daughter is Qiu Jinning, the Baiyue year nine hundred and ninety-six provincial top scholar from Jiuqu County.”

Commandery Princess Anguo smiled. “Jiuqu County is a good place. Among Baiyue’s twenty-one prefectures, only Jiuqu County still uses a county name. County Magistrate Qiu is also a good official, no worse than the other prefectural governors.” Although he was called a county magistrate, he held the actual duties of a prefectural governor, comparable to a fourth-rank official.

She had traveled all over Baiyue compiling the agricultural and sericulture encyclopedia. In earlier years, she had once gone to Jiuqu County and still had some impression of County Magistrate Qiu.

Qiu Jinning nodded reservedly. “County Magistrate Qiu is precisely my father.”

Commandery Princess Anguo studied her for a moment, then looked toward Qin Chu beside her. “And which prefecture’s provincial top scholar is this one?”

“She is this official’s daughter’s family member, Qin Chu. At present, she has only received the scholarly rank of xiucai.” Qiu Jinning could not determine Commandery Princess Anguo’s meaning. Having Qin Chu come was likely done at the commandery princess’s instruction, but she did not know why.

When Qin Chu heard herself being introduced, she hurriedly stood and bowed.

Commandery Princess Anguo swept a glance over her, her gaze pausing on Qin Chu’s left leg for a moment, but she still smiled. “Quickly rise. Have you two already married? My wife is also a woman. Another day, I’ll bring you to meet her.”

In earlier years, her wife had even held this girl. She had not expected that after more than ten years apart, she would already be this grown.

Panic flashed in Qin Chu’s eyes, and she hurriedly explained, “Commandery Princess, you misunderstand. Miss Qiu and I are as close as sisters. We are not married.”

Seeing her as if facing a great enemy, Commandery Princess Anguo smiled. “No need to be so restrained. I have no children. Seeing young and promising people like you makes me happy. Baiyue has successors.”

On their side, they chatted neither lightly nor heavily, while the provincial top scholars around them remained silent, carefully paying attention to the movement here.

At the neighboring table, the three princes did not dare speak loudly either. Each of them pricked up their ears, their gazes occasionally falling on Qin Chu, who was dressed in scarlet.

Imperial Aunt knew this woman’s identity, didn’t she? Perhaps today’s banquet was held for this woman. They did not know whether it was Imperial Mother’s intention.

Princess Consort Wei was meeting this Commandery Princess Anguo for the first time. Seeing that she had a kind face and a gentle tone, she struck up conversation. “Imperial Aunt is exactly right. Miss Qiu is a pillar of talent, and Miss Qin is also a remarkable talent in the business world. When I first saw them, I also felt fond of them.”

Her words were clever and bold. In her heart, there was only one word: gamble. She was gambling that this Commandery Princess Anguo truly was unconventional and did not care for worldly formalities.

Perhaps she could even enter this imperial aunt’s eyes and add some help for the First Prince.

As expected, Commandery Princess Anguo did not show anger. Instead, she laughed cheerfully. “You certainly know how to speak. Since you like them, then interact more in the future. I have no other matters after returning to the capital and am counting on you young people to keep things lively for me.”

Princess Consort Wei was delighted and hurriedly echoed, “Imperial Aunt, rest assured. I will definitely invite the two younger sisters to visit you often. As long as you do not find us annoying.”

Commandery Princess Anguo smiled and glanced at her, then looked toward the crowd. “There is no need for excessive courtesy. All of you are future pillars of the nation. When you enter the court as officials in the future, do not forget this: the prosperity of a nation should be rooted in agriculture and rooted in the people.”

“Commandery Princess’s teachings are correct.” Everyone Read on BaiLianTales raised their cups and responded. The atmosphere became slightly livelier.

Qin Chu watched Qiu Jinning raise her cup, worry filling her heart. She was afraid this wine could not be avoided. She wondered whether Qiu Jinning could endure it.

With Princess Consort Wei deliberately pleasing Commandery Princess Anguo, the two chatted from time to time, and Qin Chu and Qiu Jinning relaxed considerably.

Qiu Jinning accompanied them with faint smiles and drank from time to time. Qin Chu, meanwhile, kept watching her from the corner of her eye, worried the love gu would flare up.

Commandery Princess Anguo noticed Qin Chu’s gaze and could not help carefully studying Qiu Jinning. “Miss Qiu is twenty this year, yes? Do you have a marriage arrangement at home?”

“I am not betrothed.”

“In that case, what do you think of my three nephews?” Commandery Princess Anguo smiled faintly, speaking as casually as an ordinary woman chatting about family matters, as if she were looking over a pleasing girl for her nephews.

Qiu Jinning’s heart tightened. She said faintly, “The three princes are dragons and phoenixes among men. This official’s daughter would not dare climb so high. Besides… besides, this official’s daughter already has someone I admire.”

She did not dare treat Commandery Princess Anguo as an ordinary woman. These words were most likely a test to see which prince this so-called phoenix maiden favored.

“Oh? I wonder which fine young man has won Miss Qiu’s favor. Why not tell me? It is not impossible for me to ask Her Majesty to grant you a marriage.”

Commandery Princess Anguo’s voice carried a smile, falling into everyone’s ears and causing them to slow their movements.

The commandery princess seemed to value this Miss Qiu from Jiuqu County very much. Qiu Jinning was the only female bailiantales.comprovincial top scholar among those present, and her appearance was outstanding. She was indeed rather eye-catching.

Grant a marriage?

Qiu Jinning pressed her lips together and turned to look at Qin Chu—