After the Crown Prince finished speaking in a sullen tone, he buried his head back into his collar, leaving the Empress thoroughly enraged.
“You rebellious child!”
Meng Yunwan had caught about seventy percent of the conversation. So, this time it wasn’t about studying?
The Empress sneered, “If he were truly still studying, I wouldn’t have had to lose my temper today!”
Ling Qianche also sneered, “Whoever wants to attend this wretched school can go ahead. I certainly won’t be going anymore. If anyone tries to persuade me, I’ll slit my own throat. Sister Yun Guan, don’t you try to persuade me either. I’ve had enough of this anger. I absolutely refuse to go to school.”
Meng Yunwan, “…”
The Empress wiped her tears, “Rebellious child, oh rebellious child, how did I give birth to such a wretched thing?”
Meng Yunwan signaled Fang Momo to take the Crown Prince outside. She wiped the Empress’s tears and said, “Mother, don’t be upset. When others said that Brother’s conduct was disgraceful, he didn’t get angry. It was only when they said you failed to teach him properly that he took action. This shows that Brother wasn’t acting impulsively but was fiercely protective of you. He has already been reprimanded by His Majesty. If you scold him again, he’ll truly feel wronged.”
The Empress choked back a sob. She had no daughters and, rarely faced with such warmth from a younger generation, revealed a hint of vulnerability and helplessness.
“Then what do you suggest I do…”
“If Mother trusts me, I’ll go and persuade Brother the Crown Prince.”
The Empress nodded tearfully, “Good child, go ahead. If he truly refuses to listen, don’t push him too hard.”
Not long after Meng Yunwan left, Fang Momo entered and smiled at the Empress, who was still sitting dazed on the couch.
“This servant overheard a few words outside. Miss Yun Guan has already persuaded the Crown Prince, though he refuses to go to the study for now. So, the young lady asked the Crown Prince to come to her hall every day after school, where she will personally tutor him. The Crown Prince has agreed.”
The Empress was taken aback, “He really agreed?”
“Truly.”
Tears streamed down the Empress’s face again, “He listens to everyone but me. Well, it’s good that Yun Guan can handle him. I feel reassured.”
“Look at you, crying one moment and laughing the next. Now you realize how good Miss Yun Guan is?” Having served the Empress for many years, Fang Momo spoke with the affection and fondness of an elder toward a younger one.
The Empress smiled, “Yes, Yun Guan is truly a treasure. Since she’s asked Che’er to go to her hall for tutoring, it’s inconvenient for her to continue living with Madam Wen. Issue my decree: grant Yun Guan the Yunyue Hall, where Princess Wuyang resided before her marriage.”
After giving the order, the Empress remembered to ask, “How did she persuade Che’er?”
Fang Momo brushed it off with a laugh.
How she persuaded him wasn’t important. Naturally, the Empress couldn’t be told that the clever and resourceful Miss Yun Guan had promised to personally accompany the Crown Prince to Tianxiang Tower if he improved by one rank in the next imperial examination.
After all, Miss Yun Guan had good judgment. Fang Momo wasn’t worried and didn’t want the Empress to worry either.
“She just persuaded him casually. This servant will go and deliver the news now. Miss Yun Guan will surely be delighted.”
Meng Yunwan was indeed delighted, but after her joy subsided, she felt reluctant to leave her mother. “If I leave, will you be lonely all alone in Lin Hong Palace?”
Madam Wen smiled, “There are so many people serving in the hall, and you can visit me every day. Why would I be lonely? Yun Guan, the Empress values you. This is a good thing. You must teach the Crown Prince well and not disappoint Her Majesty’s expectations.”
Meng Yunwan solemnly agreed.
Yunyue Hall was resplendent in gold and jade, with halls of white jade and curtains of pearls. Any random screen in the hall had a base of emerald jade, each worth a fortune.
Meng Yunwan felt somewhat uneasy. “Yunyue Hall is too magnificent. I heard it was once the princess’s residence. Would it be inappropriate for me to live here…”
Fang Momo smiled. “There’s nothing inappropriate about it. Just accept Her Majesty the Empress’s generous favor with peace of mind. Besides, with your intelligence and grace, why worry about not being granted the title of princess one day?”
Meng Yunwan was taken aback.
…..
After moving into Yunyue Hall, she would tutor the Crown Prince every day after classes. She was very familiar with this, as in her previous life, she had also tutored Meng Nan in the same way.
The two had similar aptitudes, so teaching them came naturally to her.
Where the Crown Prince slightly surpassed Meng Nan was in his obedience.
Although he was a bit dull, lazy, and slow, he would follow whatever she said, making him much easier to teach than the unruly Meng Nan.
“Yun Guan, little sister, first of all, I’m really not doubting you, but I know you’re an excellent student. However, can you really succeed as a teacher? Can you truly teach me well? You don’t know how foolish I actually am, I…”
“There are no foolish students, only foolish teachers.”
With a calm remark, Meng Yunwan silenced Ling Qianche’s incessant questions. “Study as I tell you, and in eight or ten years, I guarantee you’ll achieve Third Place in the Imperial Examination.”
Ling Qianche held back and held back, but in the end, he couldn’t contain himself and burst into laughter.
Hahaha, Third Place? How could that be possible?
Him, achieving Third Place? That would be like a pig climbing a tree!
………
In the blink of an eye, nearly half a month passed.
Under Meng Yunwan’s guidance, Ling Qianche made steady progress and no longer spoke those discouraging words. When he looked at Meng Yunwan, his eyes held genuine respect and gratitude.
He knew his own level all too well.
To have taught him to this extent, Yun Guan, little sister, had truly put in immense effort.
He made sure to inform the Empress of Yun Guan, little sister’s hard work over these days.
………
Soon, the monthly imperial examination arrived, and Meng Yunwan, unsurprisingly, took first place.
While the Grand Tutor was announcing the results, Meng Yu Tang was at Ling Shuo’s desk, asking him for help with a question.
Her waist-length hair exuded a faint fragrance, and she was practically leaning into him when she suddenly heard her own name.
Opening her bewildered eyes and glancing around, she realized the Grand Tutor was reading out the scores.
The scores were announced from the lowest to the highest.
Which meant,
She had placed last again.
In an instant, Meng Yu Tang’s face flushed bright red.
Familiar jeers and mocking laughter rose and fell around her. Meng Yu Tang felt as if she had been instantly transported back to her previous life, dominated by academic performance. She immediately lost all interest in seducing Ling Shuo and slunk back to her seat.
It’s alright, Meng Yu Tang. Even if you placed last, this life is different from the last.
In your previous life, you were truly isolated and helpless, but now it’s different. You have three exceptional brothers, and with them here to support you, no one will mock or look down on you…
Meng Yu Tang desperately comforted herself like this, barely managing to hold back her tears. Then, immediately afterward, she heard the news that she and her three brothers had taken the bottom four spots in the study hall.