After Jiang Yun was released from the imperial prison, he said to Xiang Ming, “Send the shadow guards to investigate again.”
Li Zhixu definitely has something he wants.
There’s nothing in this world that Jiang Yun can’t find out.
Xiang Ming replied, “I will make the arrangements.”
After giving his instructions, Jiang Yun returned to the East Palace. The palace servants said that the Ninth Princess had returned after arriving at the East Palace.
These past few days, Jiang Rongyin has been quite well-behaved.
She always went along with Jiang Yun’s wishes. If Jiang Yun didn’t know her true purpose, she might have been fooled.
The little liar is quite tolerant.
Jiang Rongyin slept soundly in Guanghua Palace and woke up feeling refreshed and full of energy.
Upon arriving at the Xuezhi Hall, she stood in the long corridor, glanced at Sheng Huai’an’s room, and then looked away.
I wonder if Mr. Sheng’s injury has improved.
As I entered the school, I heard Jiang Xueping’s mocking words: “I heard that Young Master Qin and Miss Chu’s engagement banquet is in three days.”
“Alas, some people, even after living in the palace for so many years, still end up as people without any title or status.”
There weren’t many people in the classroom, but Jiang Xueping’s voice was loud and clear, so everyone present could hear her clearly.
These words were meant for Jiang Rongyin alone, but Jiang Xueping insisted on trampling on Jiang Rongyin’s dignity in front of everyone, and then humiliating her by stomping on her feet.
They took their reliance on their master’s power to the extreme.
Upon hearing Jiang Xueping’s words, everyone turned their gaze to Jiang Rongyin.
Everyone knows that Jiang Rongyin and Qin Shiyan are childhood sweethearts, and that their marriage has been approved by His Majesty.
Now things have changed, and Jiang Rongyin has become an awkward presence in the palace.
Qin Shiyan was also going to marry Chu Qingyin, but the two of them had long since lost any chance of getting together, leaving only sighs of regret.
Hearing Jiang Xueping’s words, Jiang Rongyin turned around and walked towards Jiang Xueping.
Her expression was calm, revealing neither joy nor sorrow, yet Jiang Xueping felt an inexplicable pressure from her.
“Didn’t the Sixth Princess also study at the Academy with someone like me who had no official status?”
“What, didn’t I hurt you enough when I hit you last time?”
Jiang Rongyin bent down, grasped the book on Jiang Xueping’s desk, and raised an eyebrow at her.
It seemed to mean that if she wasn’t convinced, she wouldn’t mind trying again.
“What are you doing? This is the Xuezhi Hall.”
Jiang Xueping saw the book in Jiang Rongyin’s hand and inexplicably felt a headache coming on.
Last time, when Jiang Rongyin pulled her hair, the force was so strong it felt like she was going to tear her scalp off.
“If you know it’s Xuezhi Hall, then shut your mouth.”
Jiang Rongyin tossed the book in her hand into Jiang Xueping’s arms, glanced at her, and left.
Jiang Xueping is just a paper tiger; she only knows how to bully others by relying on her power.
If it weren’t for the fact that Jiang Yun always sided with Jiang Xueping after every argument between Jiang Rongyin and Jiang Xueping, Jiang Xueping wouldn’t have thought that she was special in Jiang Yun’s eyes.
It was precisely this special feeling that Jiang Xueping perceived that made it easier for her to bully Jiang Rongyin.
Jiang Rongyin walked to her seat and sat down. Lin Miaomiao quietly told her, “Well done.”
Jiang Xueping noticed the strange looks from everyone, scoffed, and got up to leave the school.
They happened to bump into the teacher who was walking in to give a lecture.
Jiang Rongyin smiled as she watched this scene.
After school, Jiang Rongyin was preparing to leave Xuezhi Hall.
Unexpectedly, in the long corridor of the Xuezhi Hall, I saw Sheng Huai’an’s attendants reading books.
“Ninth Princess, my young master requests your presence.”
Guan Shu had a round face and a harmless smile. Jiang Rongyin nodded and said, “Okay.”
This was the second time Sheng Huai’an had taken the initiative to invite her; she wondered what it was about.
However, Sheng Huai’an was not a bad person.
Compared to Jiang Yun, Sheng Huai’an is simply the best gentleman in the world.
Following Guan Shu to the door of Sheng Huai’an’s house, Jiang Rongyin knocked on the door and went inside.
Sheng Huai’an was leaning against a small couch reading a book.
He looked up when he heard Jiang Rongyin’s footsteps.
“Thank you for yesterday, Ninth Princess. Please have a seat.”
Sheng Huai’an smiled at Jiang Rongyin, his smile as gentle as a spring flower in bloom.
“You’re too kind, sir. This is what a student should do.”
He lay there, and no one who saw him would leave him lying there unattended.
Jiang Rongyin offered an explanation and sat down in front of him.
Sheng Huai’an didn’t say anything more, but instead took out a book from the side and handed it over.
Jiang Rongyin was a little puzzled, but she still reached out and took it.
Upon seeing the words on the book cover, Jiang Rongyin’s eyes widened slightly: “This is ‘Travels to Cloud Mist Peak’?”
This rare, out-of-print copy is now in the hands of Sheng Huai’an.
Seeing that she liked it, Sheng Huai’an breathed a sigh of relief: “Yes, if you like it, take it back and read it.”
It must be a happy thing for a rare book to find someone who understands it.
“No, sir, this rare book is too valuable; I cannot take it.”
Jiang Rongyin would feel embarrassed if it were damaged.
Who told her to have Jiang Yun, that unpredictable and ruthless devil, by her side, who loved to tear things apart?
“If you don’t mind, sir, may I make a copy?”
Jiang Rongyin carefully placed the travelogue on her lap and said something to Sheng Huai’an.
Seeing how much she cherished and treasured it, Sheng Huai’an smiled and nodded: “Whatever.”
Jiang Rongyin looked down at the travelogue on her lap, and her mood improved considerably.
“Although it may be presumptuous, I saw your injuries yesterday. I often use this medicine, and it works very quickly.”
Having received Sheng Huai’an’s gifts, Jiang Rongyin also took out the things she had brought and placed them on a small table to the side.
Upon hearing Jiang Rongyin’s words, Sheng Huai’an was taken aback and looked at the bottle of wound medicine.
“Ninth Princess, are you often injured?”
The smile on Jiang Rongyin’s face slowly faded after Sheng Huai’an asked that question.
“The people in the palace don’t like me very much.”
She only said one sentence, her tone so calm as if she no longer cared, yet Sheng Huai’an could sense her sadness.
Sheng Huai’an had heard other teachers say this many times.
How difficult were Jiang Rongyin’s days in the palace?
I never expected that she would get hurt because of it.
“You are good; they are the bad ones.”
Sheng Huai’an only said one sentence, and Jiang Rongyin nodded: “I know, thank you for your comfort, sir.”
“It’s getting late, you should go back now.”
Staying any longer would damage Jiang Rongyin’s reputation. The reason for bringing her here today is to thank her for saving us yesterday.
Jiang Rongyin got up and left.
Guan Shu was carrying a food box. He only came in after Jiang Rongyin had walked away.
“Young master, this was brought by the second young lady.”
Upon hearing this, Sheng Huai’an didn’t even look at him. He simply told him to return the items and also told Guan Shu that he should refuse anything Sheng Yunwan gave him from now on.
Since Sheng Yunwan wants to enter the palace and become the Crown Princess, then so be it.
Sheng Huai’an had already tried to persuade him, and had even argued with Grand Tutor Sheng about it.
They all felt that an opportunity for wealth, honor, and rapid advancement was a rare and precious thing.
Sheng Huai’an wouldn’t say another word.
She was his Crown Princess, and he was his tutor at the Imperial Academy; that was all.
“Please help me apply the medicine.”
Sheng Huai’an sat up, took off his coat, revealing the still unhealed wound on his back.
The long whip hurt Sheng Huai’an a lot, and it was from then on that Sheng Huai’an realized that the father he had admired since childhood was no longer the same as before.
Things have changed, and people are no longer the same; it’s just that people’s hearts change too quickly.