The Eldest Princess Is So Annoying! - Chapter 6

A carriage stopped outside Yunqi Private School, with guards stationed around it. Since the school was located in a relatively secluded area, their arrival did not attract anyone else’s attention.

Xiao Hua and the other children huddled timidly in a corner.

They had no idea what was happening today. While they were working on their lessons, a group of people carrying sabers had suddenly stormed inside. Immediately afterward, two beautiful women entered.

One was expressionless, as stiff as a block of wood. The other wore a smile, but although she was smiling, Xiao Hua felt that she was the more dangerous of the two.

Teacher’s smile was much prettier.

Qie Ge surveyed the private school. Although it looked simple and shabby, it possessed everything it needed. It was not nearly as terrible as she had imagined.

The flower growing in a pot on the left side of the desk caught her attention. She stepped closer.

It was a peculiar-looking flower. It had grown so tall, yet she had never seen anything like it in either the Imperial Garden or the Eldest Princess’s residence.

“Qingqian, what is this flower called?”

Qingqian shook her head.

Her Highness had never paid much attention to flowers or plants, so Qingqian had never deliberately studied them either. Her master, Jingshu, had certainly never taught her how to identify such things.

How was she supposed to know?

“Qingqian does not know.”

Their voices were neither loud nor quiet, but they happened to reach Xiao Hua’s ears.

What wealthy family did this young lady belong to? How could she not even recognize a daylily?

Qie Ge had merely asked casually. She had not truly expected an answer.

She shifted her gaze to the desk and picked up one of the sheets of paper. The handwriting was exceptionally graceful. If she had guessed correctly, it had most likely been written by Mu Xu.

“You can’t touch Teacher’s things!”

No one knew which child spoke first.

Qie Ge raised her eyes and looked at the little boy hiding behind his companions.

“Teacher?”

Was he referring to Mu Xu?

Qie Ge had originally assumed that Mu Xu merely assisted at the school. She had not expected her to be one of its teachers.

It seemed that this lyric had been composed by her as well.

Qie Ge examined it again and found its ideas rather original. At the very least, Mu Xu would not mislead her students.

She was indeed worthy of being called a teacher.

Qie Ge casually flipped through several more pages before eventually stopping at one.

She froze.

Gradually, her surprise transformed into unrestrained delight.

Why was Her Highness smiling so happily?

Qingqian leaned closer.

The page was filled with scholarly language about this principle and that, along with something about governing the nation. Merely looking at it made her head spin.

Qie Ge smiled.

“Qingqian, I found one!”

“What did you find, miss?”

“This person possesses extraordinary literary talent and unique insights into governing the country. He is truly worthy of becoming this year’s top-ranked scholar. If he participates in the imperial examination, the title of zhuangyuan will most likely belong to no one but him!”

No matter how highly Qie Ge praised the essay, Qingqian had no desire to read another word.

She feared this sort of flowery scholarly writing more than anything. Compared with such things, she much preferred wielding sabers and swords.

Holding up the essay, Qie Ge asked the children, “Do any of you know who wrote this?”

Not a single child was willing to answer her.

They were all afraid she might be a bad person. What if they told her his name and she captured Teacher Jiang?

Government officials always protected one another. Qie Ge clearly looked either wealthy or powerful, and she had brought so many people with her. Every one of them carried a saber at the waist.

It was difficult for the children not to assume the worst.

Qie Ge raised one slender eyebrow and smiled.

“Do not worry. I am not a bad person.”

After speaking, she called, “Qingqian.”

Qingqian took out a gold ingot and placed it on the desk.

“Whichever one of you answers my young lady’s question may have this gold ingot.”

Qingqian knew that genuine talent could not be bought with any amount of money. When it came to such matters, Her Highness had never been stingy.

The children looked at one another.

A gold ingot!

Forget them—even their parents had never seen one in their entire lives.

How many copper coins must it be worth?

If they received that gold ingot, would their families not be able to live more comfortably?

A little girl tugged at Xiao Hua’s clothes and said in a trembling voice, “Sister Xiao Hua, I’m scared…”

Xiao Hua squeezed the little girl’s hand. Her face turned red as she gathered her courage and declared, “We won’t tell you!”

“Qingqian.”

Qingqian placed two more gold ingots on the desk.

“These gold ingots would allow you to buy many wonderful things. You should think carefully. So long as you tell my young lady, there will be additional rewards.”

“We won’t tell you!” Xiao Hua insisted.

They would never betray Teacher Jiang.

Seeing that Xiao Hua was being so courageous, the other children also summoned their nerve.

“We won’t tell you!”

“We won’t tell you!”

Qie Ge set down the papers.

Rather than becoming angry, she smiled.

Mu Xu had indeed taught them well. At the very least, they had not betrayed their teacher when tempted by money.

“Qingqian, let us go.”

Even if they refused to tell her, investigating someone within the Kingdom of Canglan was as effortless as turning over her hand.

White Horse Temple stood on the outskirts of Chang’an.

Its incense offerings were always plentiful, and a temple fair was held once every three months. On those days, an endless stream of worshippers came to burn incense, cast divination blocks, pray for blessings, and draw fortune sticks.

After Mu Xu and Jiang Huaisheng prayed for the kindhearted people who had donated to the private school, they headed toward the Hall of the Great Hero.

Before they even approached, they saw a large crowd of worshippers surrounding an elderly monk in the distance.

Mu Xu was puzzled.

Although White Horse Temple was normally lively, it was rarely this crowded.

What had happened today?

One young woman pulled another past Mu Xu at a run, urging her repeatedly.

“Oh, Xiaocui, this is all your fault! I told you not to be so greedy. Hurry! Master Huizhen has come to White Horse Temple today. I heard that the marriage fortunes he interprets are the most accurate. If you make me miss my chance to draw one, just wait and see how I punish you!”

The maid named Xiaocui was exhausted. She panted heavily as she replied, “Miss, slow down! Master Huizhen isn’t going anywhere!”

“Master Huizhen…”

Mu Xu murmured the name and secretly glanced at Jiang Huaisheng beside her.

Were his marriage fortunes truly that accurate?

“Huaisheng, let us hurry as well.”

“All right.”

At that moment, a young monk approached them.

“Amitabha. Has Benefactor Mu also come today to seek a marriage fortune?”

Mu Xu had visited White Horse Temple twice before, both times to pray for her benefactors, so the young monk naturally recognized her.

Mu Xu inclined her head.

“Thank you for troubling yourself, little master.”

“Please follow this humble monk.”

The two followed the young monk into the hall. They knelt devoutly upon the prayer cushions, picked up the containers of fortune sticks beside them, closed their eyes, and began shaking them.

May the Buddha protect us. This faithful woman, Mu Xu, prays with all sincerity. May the Buddha bless Huaisheng so that he earns a place on the honor roll in the upcoming imperial examination. May I love him and remain by his side. I ask for neither wealth nor glory, only a peaceful life together.

Clatter—

A bamboo stick fell out.

Mu Xu opened her eyes, her heart rising into her throat. She picked it up and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It was Fortune Number Ten—the highest grade of auspicious fortune.

Since it was the most favorable kind, it should mean something good…

Clatter—

Jiang Huaisheng also shook out a stick.

After picking it up, his straight brows furrowed slightly.

It was Fortune Number Fifteen—an average fortune.

Mu Xu’s heart, which had only just settled, rose once more.

Although Jiang Huaisheng was nervous as well, he still comforted her.

“Do not worry. Let us hear how the master interprets them.”

After waiting for some time, it was finally their turn.

Mu Xu handed her bamboo stick to Master Huizhen.

“Master, may I ask what this fortune means?”

Mu Xu had never been an impatient person, but because of the fortune Jiang Huaisheng had drawn, she could not help feeling anxious.

Master Huizhen smiled and recited:

“A heaven-ordained marriage comes not by chance;
Two hearts shall meet and join in joyful union.
Pay no heed to idle words beside your ears,
And husband and wife shall grow old together.”

Mu Xu’s anxiety eased somewhat.

She understood the opening lines, but what did the latter portion mean?

Could the gossip of others create a rift between her and Jiang Huaisheng?

As though sensing her confusion, Master Huizhen said enigmatically, “What you hear and see may not necessarily be true. In all things, follow your heart.”

Mu Xu fell into thought.

Follow her heart?

Jiang Huaisheng handed over the bamboo stick he had drawn.

“Master.”

Master Huizhen recited:

“Two households stand as equals at their gates;
Yet without destined marriage, they must not contend.
In time, peach blossoms shall bloom in splendor,
And harmonious strings shall sound among fragrant orchids.”

Jiang Huaisheng’s expression changed drastically.

He glanced at Mu Xu beside him and forced a slight smile.

“Master, this… Could you perhaps have interpreted it incorrectly?”

Master Huizhen did not take offense at Jiang Huaisheng’s rudeness.

He shook his head.

“This old monk has interpreted fortune sticks for forty years and has never once made an error. This is an average fortune. Though the two households are well matched, if there is no destined marriage between them, it must not be forced. The truth will reveal itself in time.”

The Jiang family had once possessed considerable prestige in Suzhou, but by Jiang Huaisheng’s father’s generation, it had declined somewhat.

His father normally made a living by teaching. Several of his students had even placed first in the provincial examinations.

In wealth, the Jiang family naturally could not compare with the Mu family. But in terms of reputation within Suzhou, the two families could barely be considered well matched.

If this was not a destined marriage, then did that mean he and Mu Xu…

No.

He and Mu Xu were already betrothed.

How could they not be destined for marriage?

Master Huizhen smiled at Mu Xu again.

“As for this female benefactor, the Red Luan Star has begun to move. I fear a joyous occasion is approaching.”

“Master, this woman is my future wife!”

Jiang Huaisheng lowered his voice, but restrained anger could already be heard within it.

Master Huizhen looked at the two of them in surprise.

He had assumed they were brother and sister. He had not expected them to be lovers.

But how could this be…?

Master Huizhen closed his eyes and calculated with his fingers. When he opened them again, he said, “Amitabha. Benefactors, every marriage in this world follows its predetermined course. It is the cause planted in a former life and the result borne in this one. It cannot be obtained through force.”

His words made Mu Xu feel even more distressed.

She steadied herself and asked, “Master, what if this fortune is interpreted in regard to his future prospects instead?”

“This young gentleman will one day receive the assistance of a powerful benefactor and rise swiftly through the ranks. However, he must remember one thing: he must never lose sight of his true heart.”

“Thank you, Master,” Mu Xu said.

Master Huizhen watched as the two left the hall, then murmured once more, “Amitabha.”

Qingqian followed Qie Ge into White Horse Temple, while the guards disguised themselves as ordinary worshippers and dispersed around them.

All the passing devotees were drawn to Qie Ge.

They could only wonder which family this young lady belonged to, for her beauty was so extraordinary that every glance and smile attracted attention.

Most remarkable of all was the natural air of nobility that surrounded her, making her seem lofty and utterly beyond reach.

Qie Ge’s people had discovered that Mu Xu and Jiang Huaisheng had come to White Horse Temple, so she had come as well.

With an ambiguous smile, Qingqian said, “Miss, I heard that Master Huizhen has also come today.”

“So?”

“Master Huizhen’s marriage fortunes are said to be exceptionally accurate.”

In other words, should Her Highness not draw one as well?

Qie Ge deliberately pretended not to understand.

“What? Do you wish to draw one?”

She smiled faintly before continuing, “Come to think of it, Qingqian, you are the same age as Hao’er. It is time you found a household to marry into.”

Qingqian could no longer remain calm.

She had truly lifted a stone only to drop it on her own foot.

“Miss, please spare Qingqian.”

Qie Ge laughed softly.

“I never speak falsely. Should there be someone you like, simply tell me. I can ask Hao’er to bestow an imperial marriage upon you.”

A marriage decreed by the emperor was an enormous honor, especially for a maidservant like her.

Warmth filled Qingqian’s heart.

However, when she thought of that person, bitterness immediately followed.

“Qingqian thanks you, miss!”