The Eldest Princess Is So Annoying! - Chapter 11

Over the past few days, rumors had been spreading throughout Chang’an.

The one attracting the most discussion concerned the imperial examination several months away. It was said that the emperor intended to choose a Prince Consort for Eldest Princess Qie Ge.

Naturally, the most likely candidate would be whoever placed first in the examination.

Qie Ge might keep countless male favorites, but she was still a daughter of the imperial family, with an incomparably exalted status. Whoever married her would surely enjoy a smooth and unobstructed official career from then on.

Placing first on the imperial honor roll and celebrating one’s wedding night—two of life’s four greatest joys would arrive at once.

No one knew which talented scholar’s ancestral grave would emit such extraordinarily “auspicious smoke” in a few months, allowing him to become the top-ranked scholar.

It would have been one thing if Qie Ge were merely promiscuous.

Unfortunately, she brought disaster upon her husbands.

Of her seven previous Prince Consorts, not one had met a good end.

No, there was technically one exception: Liu Pucheng, whom she had only recently divorced.

But he could no longer father children.

How was that any different from being dead?

He was merely clinging miserably to life.

Two people were affected most deeply by these rumors.

One was Jiang Huaisheng.

The other, naturally, was Mu Xu.

After Jiang Huaisheng chased after Liu Puyu that day, Liu Puyu had already disappeared. Whenever Jiang Huaisheng had free time afterward, he went to the Liu residence to request an audience.

He made the journey several times. Even after being turned away, he returned the following day.

Liu Puyu’s anger eventually faded somewhat. Seeing how sincere Jiang Huaisheng was, he finally allowed him inside.

Jiang Huaisheng spent a long time explaining himself and even swore upon his character that Mu Xu was the only person in his heart and that he harbored no feelings whatsoever for Qie Ge.

Liu Puyu chose to believe him that once.

But soon afterward, rumors that the top-ranked scholar would be selected as Prince Consort reached everyone’s ears.

Liu Puyu knew that Jiang Huaisheng possessed extraordinary knowledge and talent. Placing first in the examination would likely not be difficult for him.

He therefore sought Jiang Huaisheng out and told him that if he wished to prove he had no interest in Qie Ge, he should withdraw from the upcoming imperial examination.

Jiang Huaisheng naturally refused.

He had studied bitterly for ten years precisely so that he could earn an official title, bring honor to his ancestors, and marry Mu Xu.

If he failed the examination, he would accept it.

But asking him to abandon everything halfway through was absolutely impossible.

The way Qie Ge had looked at Jiang Huaisheng that day had already made it easy for Mu Xu to suspect that she was interested in him.

Before leaving, Qie Ge had even wished him success in the examination.

He was merely one candidate among countless scholars. Qie Ge was an incomparably noble Eldest Princess. Why should he alone receive such special attention?

Who would believe that she had no interest in him?

Now rumors were spreading everywhere.

Had Qie Ge truly been uninterested, why would she allow them to spread unchecked?

Mu Xu was not foolish.

She feared that Qie Ge herself had ordered people to release the rumors, intending to make Mu Xu recognize the difference between them and retreat.

Compared with other women, Mu Xu might still possess some chance of winning.

But compared with Qie Ge…

Mu Xu knew Jiang Huaisheng would not give up the examination, yet she continued clinging to a sliver of hope. Several times, she cautiously tested his thoughts, only to receive the answer she had expected each time.

He told her that should he truly place first, he would refuse the emperor’s marriage decree and marry only her in this lifetime.

But who dared refuse an imperial marriage decree?

Mu Xu could not and would not ask Jiang Huaisheng to abandon the examination for her.

Nor did she wish to burden him with additional worries and delay his studies.

During the day, she behaved exactly as usual, revealing not the slightest sorrow.

But every night, when no one else was around, she wept until her face was covered in tears.

Bang—

The private school’s door was suddenly kicked open.

A patrol inspector swaggered inside with a group of men behind him.

“Where is everyone in this school? Are you all blind? The patrol inspector has arrived! Hurry and come out!”

One of the men shouted at the top of his lungs.

Upon hearing the commotion, the teachers rushed outside and bowed.

“This commoner—this common woman—did not know that Lord Inspector had arrived and failed to welcome you. We beg your forgiveness!”

The inspector located Jiang Huaisheng among them.

He stroked his beard while examining him.

He had held his current post for more than five years, yet every path to promotion remained closed to him. His superiors were also the sort who accepted money without accomplishing anything.

Just when he had begun to believe that he would never be promoted in this lifetime, one of his subordinates somehow learned that Liu Puyu, Minister of the Court of Imperial Banquets, had fallen into conflict with a teacher from a private school.

Liu Puyu’s father was a second-rank official, while Liu Puyu himself held a third-rank post.

Although his elder brother had already been divorced by the Eldest Princess, the Liu family still stood and had not yet declined.

Promoting an insignificant patrol inspector would take no more than a single word from them.

Therefore, showing goodwill toward Liu Puyu could not possibly be wrong!

The inspector looked over the group several times and deliberately asked, “Which one of you is Jiang Huaisheng?”

“Reporting to my lord, this commoner is Jiang Huaisheng.”

Jiang Huaisheng cupped his hands.

“You are Jiang Huaisheng?”

“Yes.”

“Several commoners recently reported that you embezzled the silver they donated to this private school. Is that true?”

The inspector spoke with a perfectly solemn expression.

Jiang Huaisheng was stunned.

He had already guessed that these men had come with hostile intentions, but he had never imagined they would falsely accuse him of this.

According to the laws of Canglan, anyone convicted of theft with conclusive evidence would face three years in prison.

Physical torture and suffering would undoubtedly be unavoidable.

After his release, forget participating in the imperial examination—he would be spat upon merely for appearing in public.

Who was trying to ruin him so viciously?

“My lord, this commoner has been falsely accused! Someone must be slandering me. I have never done such a thing. I beg my lord to investigate carefully!”

“Whether you have been wronged must still be investigated. Men, search the place!”

The inspector ordered.

“Yes!”

Mu Xu could no longer concern herself with anything else.

She stepped forward and explained, “My lord, this common woman can testify that Jiang Huaisheng did not embezzle any silver. A few days ago, when supplies of ink and writing materials were purchased at the market, and when prayers were offered at White Horse Temple for the benefactors, this common woman accompanied him throughout. I beg my lord not to be deceived by a villain!”

“What is your relationship with him? Why are you speaking on his behalf?”

Difficulty appeared on Mu Xu’s face.

If she told the truth, would he not accuse her of protecting Jiang Huaisheng out of personal bias?

“Answer me!”

“Reporting to my lord, this common woman… this common woman is Jiang Huaisheng’s betrothed.”

The inspector nodded in understanding.

“Since you are Jiang Huaisheng’s future wife, the two of you may have committed the crime together. Men, take them both away!”

Seeing them move to bind Mu Xu, Jiang Huaisheng hurriedly shouted, “My lord! My lord, this is an injustice! This matter has nothing to do with her. My lord… My lord!”

Liu Puyu stood outside the private school, hearing every word of the conversation inside.

This patrol inspector was a complete idiot.

He walked in and barked, “Stop!”

The inspector jogged over, bowing and scraping.

“Why did Lord Liu come inside? Were you not waiting outside? Leave everything to this subordinate. My lord may rest assured!”

Rest assured?

If this fool continued handling matters this way, how the hell was Liu Puyu supposed to feel reassured?

Liu Puyu’s face turned cold.

He pointed his paper fan toward Mu Xu, who was already being restrained.

“In my opinion, this matter has nothing to do with Miss Mu. Release her.”

He was a grown man.

How could he bully a defenseless woman?

Even if Mu Xu was Jiang Huaisheng’s betrothed, she had nothing to do with this affair.

“Yes, my lord!”

The inspector turned toward his subordinates.

“What are you standing there for? Did you not hear Lord Liu? Hurry and release Miss Mu!”

Jiang Huaisheng now understood everything.

So Liu Puyu had been behind this entire scheme.

He was most likely trying to prevent Jiang Huaisheng from participating in the imperial examination.

Who would have imagined it?

Jiang Huaisheng had always regarded Liu Puyu as an upright official, firmly believing that he would never abuse his authority to oppress commoners.

Yet now, Liu Puyu had used such a vicious scheme against him!

Liu Puyu considered himself noble and aloof and had always despised framing others.

Unfortunately, Jiang Huaisheng was too stubborn to yield, and Liu Puyu could think of no other method.

At precisely that moment, the patrol inspector had sent someone to propose this plan.

Liu Puyu therefore agreed to let him try.

In any case, he was not personally carrying it out, so naturally, he felt no guilt whatsoever.

---

Qianqing Palace.

“Imperial Sister, have you heard the rumors spreading through the city these past few days?”

Qie Ge set down her tea.

“Ask whatever you wish to ask.”

Yang Hao touched his nose and chuckled.

“Imperial Sister truly is impressive!”

“Does Imperial Sister have someone she loves?”

Qie Ge met Yang Hao’s gaze.

What did the rumors have to do with whether she had someone she loved?

“Mm?”

“Liu Puyu has recently been causing trouble for a teacher from a private school. Liu Puyu is interested in Imperial Sister, so…”

Yang Hao left the rest unsaid.

He trusted that Qie Ge understood.

Realization dawned upon her.

It seemed Yang Hao had already investigated Jiang Huaisheng and the others thoroughly.

“Jiang Huaisheng possesses extraordinary knowledge and talent. He has the ability to place first in the examination. If we can make use of him, that would naturally be ideal.”

Yang Hao became deeply worried.

If his imperial sister had taken an interest in Jiang Huaisheng because of his abilities, what would happen to his plan?

“Then Imperial Sister’s feelings toward him…”

“My feelings toward him?”

Qie Ge remembered Yang Hao’s earlier question and felt helpless.

“I have no interest in him.”

Yang Hao breathed a sigh of relief.

“No interest is good. No interest is good,” he muttered.

“The rumors spread under the Left Chancellor’s orders are now known to practically everyone. How does Imperial Sister intend to handle them?”

Before Qie Ge could answer, Yang Hao continued, “Why does Imperial Sister not choose a Prince Consort before the examination begins?”

Qie Ge understood the principle that if a rumor spread long enough, it could eventually become reality.

She also knew that whoever placed first in the upcoming examination would most likely belong to the Left Chancellor’s faction.

The Left Chancellor was setting a trap for her.

But where was she supposed to find a Prince Consort who was both easy to control and would cause her no worry?

Qie Ge’s gaze gradually deepened.

She asked calmly, “Then who does Hao’er believe I should choose as my Prince Consort?”

Surprise flickered through Yang Hao’s eyes.

He had apparently not expected her to ask him.

After recovering, he hurriedly called Xiao Lezi over and ordered him to gather information on every easily controlled son of the noble families.

Yang Hao flipped through the candidates repeatedly but could not find a single satisfactory one.

He raised his head toward the heavens and sighed.

It was merely a matter of choosing a Prince Consort.

Why was it so difficult?

A glimmer passed through Qie Ge’s eyes.

She merely glanced at Yang Hao without speaking.

After a long while, Yang Hao asked, “Imperial Sister, is there anyone you admire?”

“Cai Qifeng is an extraordinary genius rarely seen in this world.”

“……Other than Teacher.”

“Nangong Chun’s martial arts and medical skills are both unrivaled beneath the heavens.”

“……Other than Uncle.”

Qie Ge stopped speaking.

“Liu Puyu certainly cannot be considered as a candidate. Imperial Sister may have no interest in Jiang Huaisheng, but if you take him as your Prince Consort, we can still make use of him,” Yang Hao tested again.

Qie Ge took a small sip of tea.

The mention of Jiang Huaisheng caused her to remember Mu Xu’s actions that day, and a faint smile curved at the corners of her lips.

That woman truly was quite interesting.

“No. Jiang Huaisheng is already betrothed,” Yang Hao muttered to himself.

He secretly glanced at Qie Ge.

This was the perfect opportunity.

He continued, “But Mu Xu has not yet married into his family. We can simply send her away. If she proves difficult, we can find her another respectable household.”

“But that would be somewhat dishonorable. Jiang Huaisheng definitely will not do.”

Yang Hao abruptly changed direction.

“Why not choose Mu Xu instead?”

Qie Ge had still not returned from her thoughts.

Yang Hao seized the opportunity to raise his voice.

He exclaimed in surprise, “Imperial Sister, do you truly intend to take her as your Prince Consort?”

Qie Ge raised her eyes and looked at Yang Hao.

What had he just said?

“Mm?”

“Imperial Sister, are you certain you do not wish to reconsider? Mu Xu is a woman. Do you truly intend to make her your Prince Consort?”

When had she ever said she wished to take Mu Xu as her Prince Consort?

And what was that barely concealed anticipation in Yang Hao’s eyes?

As though afraid Qie Ge might interrupt, Yang Hao immediately began spouting nonsense with an entirely serious expression.

“Still, should Imperial Sister truly wish to take her as Prince Consort, I would never stand in your way.”

Qie Ge might have been distracted moments ago, but she was not muddleheaded.

She knew perfectly well whether she had agreed.

Only Yang Hao could devise such a clumsy scheme and enjoy himself so thoroughly while carrying it out.

“Imperial Sister?”

Yang Hao was frantic.

He was only one step away from rushing over, clinging to her legs, and begging her to agree.

Qie Ge pressed her lips together.

Yang Hao was undoubtedly plotting something.

But seeing him like this, she could not bring herself to refuse him.

After thinking for a moment, she let it go.

She would grant his wish.

Who had made him her own younger brother?

“The word of the emperor cannot be taken back.”

Yang Hao had finally achieved his goal.

He coughed several times and suddenly felt as light as air. Barely suppressing the urge to leap into the air, he said, “Ahem. Then I shall personally draft the imperial decree.”

The moment he left Qie Ge’s sight, Yang Hao could no longer restrain himself.

He jumped into the air, overwhelmed with delight.

Had Qie Ge not still been waiting outside, he might even have howled a few times.

It worked!

It actually worked!