Chapter 100: The Thoughtful Fiancé
As the morning classes ended, the school hall returned to its lively atmosphere, even livelier than before.
However, they were not discussing Princess Wuyang and the lady-in-waiting being punished earlier, but rather the instructor announcing that there would be an exam at the beginning of the month.
Moreover, this exam would be combined with the monthly exam of the other students at the National Academy.
There would be rankings, rewards for the top performers, and penalties for those who fell behind.
Therefore, to better prepare for the exam, there would be no rest days from now on, with classes continuing until the end of the month.
This news made the companion reader ladies wail in unison, worrying about the exam and their rankings.
For Princess Wuyang and Princess Nangong, although they also worried about their rankings, about being humiliated by Princess Pingcheng if they did poorly, and being scolded by Father Emperor, they wailed even more about having to attend classes every day.
This was winter, after all, with early mornings every day.
The two lacked even the energy to throw a tantrum, and had no interest in comforting the “pitiful” lady-in-waiting; as soon as class ended, they went straight to rest.
Yang Hui had already run to Princess Pingcheng’s side, complaining about her grievances from being implicated.
Only three people remained in the back row seats.
Yang Luo gave Liu Chan a look, and Liu Chan understood, signaling that the master and servant should talk, then walked a short distance to the side while helping to watch the surroundings.
“You should have refuted Princess Wuyang at the time, to avoid people thinking you harbor resentment toward Princess Pingcheng.” Yang Luo said in a low voice, “If word spreads to the Imperial Palace, it might…”
Mo Zheng said to her in a low voice: “I know, I did it on purpose.”
On purpose? Yang Luo was stunned for a moment.
Mo Zheng said in a low voice: “Right, since we already know there’s malice in the Imperial Palace, might as well give them an opportunity to see what actions it draws out, especially to see whose actions it draws out.”
“This is too dangerous.” Yang Luo sat up straight and said in a low voice.
Mo Zheng said: “Better than a real knife-and-sword attack in the middle of the night.”
With that, she looked at Yang Luo and smiled.
“You’ve always been bold, coming to the Capital City knowing there was danger, even taking the National Academy exam, so how come your courage has shrunk now?”
Yang Luo looked at her and muttered: “You’re the bolder one.”
Those previous matters had indeed been her suggestions, but actually carrying them out had been with this guard’s assistance; she only handled the thinking, and sometimes hadn’t even thought of it yet when the guard had already done it.
“I’m bold, so I’ll handle some things.” Mo Zheng said with a low laugh, looking at Yang Luo, “You watch carefully from the side. If you don’t understand, go ask Qin Ying for information. You’re someone unrelated to us, so others will be less guarded around you and tell you more.”
Yang Luo looked at her and slowly nodded: “I understand.”
……
…….
“A Rui, Young Lord Zhu is here to pick you up.”
After school, Jiang Rui walked out with the others.
Because of the upcoming exam, Jiang Rui was inevitably nervous, lightly discussing and guessing with the young ladies beside her, when she was suddenly reminded by the young ladies ahead.
Yunxiao was here?
Jiang Rui was somewhat surprised and lifted her head to look forward.
By now they had reached the doorway. Outside the National Academy, carriages and horses and people crowded, but were blocked outside by the Imperial Guard, only able to approach after the princesses’ imperial carriages set off.
However, amid the throng of people, Zhu Yunxiao, dressed in a lake-blue brocade robe and cloaked in black, stood out strikingly.
The moment she saw him, a smile spread across Jiang Rui’s lips.
At the same time, Zhu Yunxiao’s gaze passed through the princesses surrounded by palace maids and palace women, and the young ladies as gorgeous as a hundred flowers, landing on Jiang Rui.
Their gazes met, and Zhu Yunxiao smiled faintly.
This smile drew sidelong glances from those around, even attracting the princesses to look over, sparking a burst of lively praise for the Heir of Duke Yongwu’s good looks and the childhood sweethearts’ inseparable devotion.
Only after the princesses boarded their carriages did the excitement die down.
Jiang Rui also arrived at Zhu Yunxiao’s side.
“Why did you come today?” she asked.
Zhu Yunxiao’s gaze was on Duke Ding’an’s Mansion’s carriage. By now the princesses had boarded, leaving only those three young ladies over there…
Jiang Rui perceived this and followed his gaze. Just as she was about to say something, Zhu Yunxiao withdrew his gaze.
“Those are the ladies-in-waiting His Majesty assigned to Princess Wuyang and Princess Nangong? The Miss Yangs who encountered Sun clan remnants on the street at night and nearly met harm, were taught etiquette by palace women sent by His Majesty, and then had their palms struck by people sent by His Majesty?” he asked in a low voice.
So these Miss Yangs had already stirred up so much excitement. Jiang Rui pursed her lips in a smile: “You’ve heard about the young ladies of Duke Ding’an’s Mansion even in the barracks?”
Zhu Yunxiao scrutinized her face and asked: “Are they easy to get along with? Have they made things difficult for you?”
So that was what he was worried about. Jiang Rui chuckled, her heart full of warmth. Everyone loved hearing exciting news, but someone whose heart was full only of you worried whether that excitement would affect you.
Jiang Rui smiled and said: “How could I be so disliked? Everyone who meets me hates me.” As she spoke, she pinched Zhu Yunxiao’s face, “Not necessarily, after all, they haven’t met you yet, Young Lord.”
This was clearly a teasing remark stemming from the rumor that Liu Chan fancied Zhu Yunxiao.
It was the first time Jiang Rui had made such a joke, but it slipped out naturally, and she thought to herself that she really did care about that rumor.
The thought flashed through, and Jiang Rui instinctively looked toward the back, spotting Liu Chan in the crowd at a glance.
That young lady was dressed in a plain-colored dress wrapped in a pale cloak, watching them steadily. When their gazes met, she showed no evasion, her expression calm, her eyes deep.
This Miss Liu…
“I don’t know about others, I only know myself.”
Zhu Yunxiao’s voice came.
Jiang Rui quickly withdrew her gaze and saw Zhu Yunxiao looking at her intently, not following her gaze to others.
“My eyes can only see a daughter as gentle-tempered as the one from General Liwei’s family.”
Jiang Rui was amused and lightly punched his arm: “Spending too much time in the military has made you glib-tongued.”
Zhu Yunxiao smiled, supporting her arm as she boarded the carriage, returning to the earlier topic: “My new assignment has come down, so I came back to see you. I won’t be able to return for a while.”
So that was the reason. Jiang Rui hurriedly asked: “Where to?”
“To Changshui Camp.” Zhu Yunxiao said.
Jiang Rui’s face lit up with delight: “Assigned to Changshui Camp? That’s great.”
After His Majesty ascended to the throne, General Liwei Jiang Feng’s former subordinates were incorporated into the northern army as Changshui Camp, and nearly all the deputy generals in the camp today were still Jiang Feng’s old subordinates from back then.
These people still came to the Jiang Family to pay respects every festival; the knife and sword that Jiang Meng swung every day were taught by these uncles.
Zhu Yunxiao smiled and said: “So it’s like carrying on my father-in-law’s legacy. I’m very happy too.”
She, his daughter, couldn’t carry on her father’s legacy, but her son-in-law could count as a son, leading her father-in-law’s old subordinates, so her father’s reputation could be passed on one more generation.
Jiang Rui nodded, tears shimmering in her eyes, and once inside the carriage, beckoned him: “Hurry, let’s go home and tell Mother and A Meng.”
Zhu Yunxiao smiled and nodded, mounted his horse to escort the carriage, merging into the procession returning to the city.
……
…….
“At least this son-in-law hasn’t been a waste.”
When Zhu Yunxiao returned home and told his father, Duke Yongwu nodded in satisfaction.
“Back then, my old subordinates were either scattered or promoted to generals guarding various places, each with their own agendas—can’t rely on them.”
“Jiang Feng died early. His Majesty, moved by his valor and unconcerned about too much power, didn’t weaken his subordinates, who remain loyal to this day. Now you inherit that loyalty, and in the future, Changshui Camp will bear the Zhu name.”
Zhu Yunxiao’s expression showed no concern. Although the Emperor had pondered this arrangement for so long, he was never in a hurry.
Besides him, who else was more suitable to lead Jiang Feng’s old subordinates?
“Has Father been in contact with Duke Ding’an lately?” he asked. “His Majesty has again selected two daughters from his family as companion readers for the princesses.
