Chapter 77

Cao Xi also felt that it was very much to her liking.

Hadn’t they just recently gained the favor of the Crown Prince? Let’s see how they tear each other apart like dogs!

Unfortunately, Cao Xi’s clever arrangement only elicited a scornful smile from Tian Ying when the words reached her.

Did they really think she had become a fool? That Young Master Jiang had an affair with Jing?

Even if it were true, so what? Not to mention that she was just a concubine, she was once rumored to be a candidate for the Crown Prince consort! Despite being kissed and stripped by

Young Master Jiang, it all came to nothing in the end.

Now, thinking about it, she felt that the Crown Prince was heavily biased, treating a male favorite better than his own concubine!

Although she was filled with hatred, she had learned her lesson.

If another such affair were to be exposed, it would likely be Jing who would be dealt with, just to protect the Crown Prince’s favorite.

As for being at the forefront of such confrontations, she would let others take the lead. Ever since her maid was kicked into the pond, she had been avoiding Young Master Jiang!

Cao Xi wanted her to take the lead? Not a chance!

Meanwhile, Cao Xi, seeing no movement from Tian Ying, became even more attentive to the activities of Young Master Jiang and Jing.

Young Master Jiang, however, was unaware that she was now being watched.

The academy’s studies soon reached the autumn examinations.

Although Jiang Xiurun had a shallow foundation compared to those who had studied under famous teachers since childhood, she had an advantage in her understanding of governance and the livelihood of the people, thanks to her past life’s experience with the intricacies of noble relationships and the complex trends among neighboring states.

Thus, although she struggled to keep up in the Tiangan branch, she occasionally managed to impress her mentor with her cleverness.

Master Mu Feng did not cultivate mere armchair strategists.

No matter how well one studied, it was futile if the knowledge could not be applied.

The early autumn “Mochi Literary Gathering” became a great opportunity for the disciples to practice.

Every few years, academies from Great Qi and neighboring states would hold a competition in the six arts: rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics.

Master Mu Feng adhered to the principle of “educating the sons of the state with the Dao, teaching them the six arts.”

In his youth, Master Mu Feng, along with several other great scholars, had proposed the Mochi Literary Gathering to allow students from various countries to learn from each other and broaden their horizons.

The original intention was good, but unfortunately, today’s students were more focused on official careers and fame, putting the most effort into rites and calligraphy. Other areas were often neglected.

Thus, it was not uncommon to find students excelling in one area, but it was rare to find those who were well-rounded in all six arts.

For example, in previous years, many academies had struggled to find talent in archery and charioteering, sometimes even resorting to hiring young martial artists to fill the gaps.

This year, it was again time for the academies to compete for fame. The spots for Mu Feng Academy were highly contested.

The young men, full of ambition, all wanted to make a name for themselves among the nations!

However, Jiang Xiurun was indifferent to fame and fortune. She wondered if the small, remote state of Bo would even participate in such a gathering.

But given her father’s penchant for seeking fame and his self-proclaimed talent, it was likely that he would send someone to participate and bring glory to Bo.

If she were to stand before everyone and reveal herself as the young tutor Jiang of great Qi, wouldn’t her cover be blown? It was better to stay in Luo’an City, eat and drink, and quietly wait for the right time to leave.

So when Master Mu Feng announced the list of participants and her name, Jiang Xiurun, was on it, she was terrified and broke out in a cold sweat.

Before she could refuse, Master Mu Feng kindly said, “I originally thought we would have to sell some of our  funds to hire people to fill the academy’s ranks this year, but unexpectedly, we have talents like you and Dou Siwu. Especially you, who excel in music, archery, and mathematics. It’s truly rare. Do not disappoint the expectations of your teacher and your fellow students.”

Dou Siwu, who had never heard Master Mu Feng speak so highly of him, immediately felt like the academy’s pillar and the teacher’s savior.

He stood up straight, his thin clothes revealing his strong muscles, and said with a clenched fist, “I will not fail the teacher’s trust in representing the academy.”

Seeing the sparkle in Master Mu Feng’s eyes, Jiang Xiurun couldn’t bring herself to say, “I can’t participate. You should sell the funds and hire someone else.”

So she remained silent, thinking it would be better for the Crown Prince to deliver the bad news later.

When the Crown Prince refused on the grounds of being too busy with official duties to spare his young tutor, she would then reluctantly bid farewell to her teacher and classmates as they embarked on their journey.

With this in mind, she left the academy and found a familiar face on the street—the ever-persistent Ji Wujiang.

The former young master of Bo, with his jade-like demeanor, still stood out even on the bustling streets of Luo’an. His tall, slender figure, dressed in a light gray robe with wide sleeves over a white undergarment, and his deep, exotic eyes, attracted the attention of passersby.

Jiang Xiurun hadn’t expected that a cup of hot water wouldn’t deter him, and he had followed her all the way here!

Suspecting that he was looking for her brother, she stood still and stared at Ji Wujiang, her eyes faintly revealing a fierce light.

But Ji Wujiang bowed respectfully to her and took out a letter from his robe, saying, “I am here to deliver a letter from the Emperor to Young Master Jiang. Please take a look.”

Jiang Xiurun was startled.

Was Ji Wujiang saying that this letter was from her father?

Why would her father’s letter be delivered by Ji Wujiang?

And what was written in the letter? She had no idea. If there were any words unfavorable to Great Qi, she would be guilty of treason the moment she accepted the letter!

In that instant, many thoughts flashed through Jiang Xiurun’s mind, and she concluded that, being in a busy street, she could not accept the letter.

But just as she turned a blind eye and was about to board her carriage, the letter in Ji Wujiang’s hand was taken by someone else.

When Jiang Xiurun turned around, her heart nearly jumped out of her throat.

It was none other than Feng Liwu, who had somehow arrived at that moment and taken the letter.

It turned out that he hadn’t come to pick her up from school recently, but today, having some free time, he remembered how sweet it was when she had come to the government office to welcome him home, so he decided to do the same. Disguised and accompanied by secret guards, he followed the relatively quiet afternoon streets to pick her up.

Unexpectedly, at the academy gate, he saw a rather “pleasing” scene—two gentlemen, one tall and one short, standing across the street, gazing into each other’s eyes.

Both gentlemen were of Bo’s exotic bloodline, with soft features, a mix of delicate and strong looks.

After a moment, the taller gentleman walked over, holding a letter, intending to hand it to the shorter youth.

Two women passing by on the street turned their heads and whispered, “What a pity for this pair, they almost made a perfect couple. If one were a man and the other a woman, with such talent and beauty, it would be truly enviable.”

The speaker had no intention, but the listener took it to heart.

Although Feng Liwu’s expression remained unchanged, standing at the street corner, the air around him turned chilly.

Did those women have no eyes? Where did they see a match?

However, as he approached, he recognized the tall Bo youth—wasn’t he the talented Ji from the Shunde banquet?

Immediately, his thoughts turned to Jiang Xiurun’s mention of a childhood friend, which seemed more and more plausible… And that letter… Could it be an expression of longing after a long separation?

Thinking this, he strode over and directly took the letter, then coldly ordered his guards, “Seize him!”

The guards complied and restrained Ji Wujiang.

But Ji Wujiang showed no panic, simply kneeling on the ground and bowing respectfully to Feng Liwu, saying, “Envoy of Bo, Ji Wujiang, pays his respects to the Crown Prince.”

Feng Liwu raised an eyebrow and coldly asked, “Envoy of Bo? I remember you were recently a guest of the Shunde official?”

Ji Wujiang remained calm and replied, “I previously served in the Bo palace, but due to illness, I resigned and lived incognito among the common people, running shops for a living. My relationship with the Shunde Official was merely a friendship, not a guest-official relationship. Recently, the Emperor of Bo urgently needed some old retainers, so I was recalled to the court. Now, I am here on the Emperor’s orders to deliver a letter from a loving father to his young prince.”

Feng Liwu coldly observed him. The young man did indeed have a special token issued to envoys entering the city, and Bo had indeed sent an envoy recently.

However, with so many envoys from various countries in the capital, the insignificant Bo was pushed to the back of the line, likely to be received in seven or eight days.

But such matters were handled by specialized personnel. Feng Liwu, finding this Ji fellow unpleasant, decided that he would spend the night in prison.

Thus, the Crown Prince ignored his further explanations and walked over to the stunned Jiang Xiurun by the carriage, frowning, “How long are you going to keep looking at him? Get in the carriage!”

Jiang Xiurun quickly climbed into the carriage, and Feng Liwu followed.

But as they sat in the carriage, Feng Liwu remained silent, only flipping the parchment letter with his long fingers, his eyes narrowed as he examined it.

Jiang Xiurun, unsure of what the letter contained, sat stiffly, filled with anxiety.

“You’re sweating so much, wipe it off,” the Crown Prince suddenly handed her a handkerchief.

Jiang Xiurun realized she was sweating profusely and forced a dry smile, awkwardly wiping her neck.

Thus, neither spoke, and they returned to the Crown Prince’s residence in silence.

Feng Liwu sat cross-legged on the incense mat in his study, then took a silver knife from the table and began to open the parchment envelope, pulling out a thin silk letter.

Jiang Xiurun knelt there, cautiously craning her neck to catch a glimpse, hoping to prepare a response.

But Feng Liwu seemed to notice her intention and deliberately held the silk letter high, preventing her from seeing it!