The Hostage Girl - Chapter 65-Part 2
Chapter 65-Part 2
A few days ago, while chatting with some clerks from the Ministry of Personnel at the palace gates, she learned that this year’s exams would include a special martial arts test.
If it opens, and if Qian’er could participate, she would surely come out on top.
However, since Qian’er is a woman, she can’t easily enter.
Back then, when there was an urgent need for talent due to escalating border conflicts, Bai Qian somehow managed to break into the military exam grounds and was exceptionally recruited.
But now, with no battles on the frontier, things have shifted, diverging greatly from how they unfolded in the previous life.
Worried about Qian’er’s future, she was meticulous in planning, fearing that a misstep could cost a future general.
When she cautiously requested that the Crown Prince allow Bai Qian to participate in the exam, Feng Liwu raised an amused eyebrow at her request.
As he helped her out of the carriage, he casually asked Qian’er, who was assisting her, “So, are you interested in competing for the title of martial champion?”
Hearing this, Qian’er shook her head vigorously, her voice rising slightly in alarm, “Your Highness, please don’t tease me. I heard the last martial champion is still lingering in Luo’an, waiting for an appointment from the Ministry of War! A commoner holding a martial title without court support, hanging around in the capital – what good is that? I’d rather get my monthly salary than waste time getting a useless title that’s worth less than a dog’s wagging tail!”
The Crown Prince, puzzled by the rural slang, asked what she meant by “a dog’s wagging tail.”
Qian’er boldly pointed to a stray male dog rubbing against the corner wall, saying, “Isn’t that just a dog wagging his tail in self-satisfaction?”
Feng Liwu glanced at the dog, then cast a meaningful look at Qian’er before shifting his gaze to Jiang Xiurun, who was visibly flustered by her servant’s bluntness.
His expression turned slightly stern as he strode into the residence without a word.
Jiang Xiurun felt stifled by Qian’er’s unexpected comment.
Just when she was feeling proud of her ability to spot talent with the recent promotion of Ji Binglin, her maid had shattered her confidence.
Qian’er, a bit apprehensive, worried she’d overstepped and whispered to Jiang Xiurun, “Young Master, do you think I’ll lose my wages for upsetting His Highness?”
Jiang Xiurun, lying back on a low couch and reflecting, decided it was her own fault.
She’d been too lenient with Qian’er, not enforcing proper discipline, and now a promising young female warrior was more interested in a meager salary than in her own potential!
She sat up and threw a thick book on military tactics at Qian’er, declaring, “If you don’t master this by month’s end, you won’t see a single coin of your wages!”
Qian’er felt a chill down her spine, nearly crushing the bamboo scroll in frustration.
Setting aside the worries of master and servant for the moment, the Qin family soon brought in a new bride.
According to custom, Feng Liwu, as Qin Zhao’s superior and due to his ties with the Qin family, was expected to attend.
This wedding also gave the newly joined concubines a chance to appear in public and socialize.
However, for some reason, Concubine Tian, under the pretense of illness, did not receive the Crown Prince’s permission to go out, reportedly due to his concern for her health.
Thus, the opportunity fell to Concubine Cao and Concubine Yao.
Concubine Cao, excited, called her maid to fetch Concubine Yao so they could coordinate outfits, avoiding the risk of wearing the same color or pattern.
Although the three concubines had entered the Crown Prince’s residence on equal footing, only Concubine Tian’s name appeared on the records of his personal quarters, while the other two had been neglected.
Frustrated, Concubine Cao thought she and Concubine Yao could bond over their shared fate as forgotten figures in the prince’s household.
Yet, despite her desire to befriend Concubine Yao and commiserate about the solitude of waiting in empty rooms, Concubine Yao, like Concubine Tian, had taken to being “ill” daily, avoiding others, which only compounded Concubine Cao’s irritation.
