Chapter 122: Happy And Unhappy
“So at that time, Grandfather and Grandmother entered the palace to discuss this matter with Father Emperor and Mother Empress.”
Princess Pingcheng said.
In the evening at the Empress’s Palace, there were more people present than the last time when everyone gathered to comfort her family after the attack.
The Prince of Donghai came.
Grandmother came.
Third Uncle and Aunt also came.
Because the Emperor wanted to celebrate for his daughter, he notified the relatives early to gather, and although Princess Pingcheng ultimately failed to rank first in the exam, the Emperor still had everyone come and continue the banquet.
Fortunately, the banquet mostly talked about Miss Yang and Miss Liu swapping identities.
“They even kept it from me.” Princess Pingcheng pretended to be displeased. “At the time, everyone asked me, thinking I knew, but I was also startled and didn’t know how to tell everyone.”
The Emperor hurriedly said, “It’s all Father Emperor’s fault.”
“Your Father Emperor did it to let you study with peace of mind.” The Old Madam of Marquis Yichun said. “He was afraid that such a thing happening right at the start of school would ruin your mood for reading.”
“This is all Duke Ding’an’s fault.” Chai Yuan snorted. “His family’s children did such a thing, he not only didn’t manage it, but came to pester Father and His Majesty. His Majesty had no choice but to cover for him.”
The Prince of Donghai listened on the side. So there was such prior context, having his own maidservant disguise as someone else to take the exam for princess companion reader. He almost blurted out that Miss Yang’s courage was indeed extraordinary, but thinking of Mother Empress’s words from last time, he swallowed it back.
“Father Emperor took great pains for Pingcheng’s reading.” He changed to a more pleasant phrasing.
Grandfather had someone come earlier to tactfully tell him to say more pleasant things about Father Emperor.
Although he felt it was superfluous between father and son, it didn’t hurt to say it.
As his words fell, the Empress who had been quietly drinking tea suddenly smiled and said, “Then your Father Emperor truly wasted his efforts. With that Miss Yang around, Pingcheng ranked second.”
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the hall froze.
The Emperor’s face stiffened somewhat.
The Old Madam of Marquis Yichun furrowed her brows tightly and hurriedly said, “Your Ladyship, what are you saying? Pingcheng ranking second has what relation to Miss Yang—”
But after speaking, she felt it was wrong.
If it had no relation to Miss Yang, wouldn’t that mean saying Pingcheng herself didn’t study well?
That wouldn’t be appropriate either.
The Old Madam of Marquis Yichun’s voice abruptly stopped.
The atmosphere in the hall became even more stagnant than before.
The Emperor’s expression shifted several times as he looked toward the Empress.
He didn’t mind the Empress’s cold sarcasm toward him.
But at a time like this, sarcasm toward him would also hurt Pingcheng’s heart.
Pingcheng would feel so sad hearing it.
Anger gathered in the Emperor’s eyes, and he just opened his mouth to speak.
Princess Pingcheng stood up first, called out Mother Empress, and sat beside the Empress.
“This time it was all because I wasn’t careful and used the wrong allusion.” She said, shaking the Empress’s arm. “Mother Empress, I only made this one mistake; the rest were all very good. The Libationer even praised me.”
As she spoke, she looked at the Emperor.
“Father Emperor, where is my answer sheet? Quickly take it out for Mother Empress to see. The Libationer wrote a lot of praise for me on it.”
The Emperor couldn’t bear to go against his daughter’s words, squeezed out a smile, took out the answer sheet from his sleeve, and said, “Yes, A Feng, take a look. Pingcheng answered very well.”
After the Empress said those words, she also regretted it. Miss Yang arrogantly snatched her daughter’s first place; she naturally knew how upset her proud daughter must feel inside. This also made hatred grow in her heart: hatred for the Yangs, hatred for the Emperor, hatred she couldn’t suppress, and harsh words came out…
The harsh words also hurt her daughter.
And her daughter, already in a bad mood, had to cheer up to comfort her…
She reached out to stroke Pingcheng’s shoulder, without taking the answer sheet the Emperor handed over.
“No need to look. I know Pingcheng is the best to begin with.” She said, lowering her head to look at her daughter, her eyes full of apology.
It was her fault, all because she was useless, letting this Yang girl humiliate her daughter.
Seeing the answer sheet gripped in the Emperor’s hand not being taken, feeling awkward, the Old Madam of Marquis Yichun hurriedly stood to take it.
“The Marquis instructed me before coming to definitely take a look and even to copy a copy for him.”
With that, she signaled to Third Madam Chai sitting beside her.
“You take a look too. When you go back, teach those children. One by one, taught hand-in-hand by the family tutor, yet their writing is poor and they don’t read well.”
Third Madam Chai hurriedly agreed. Chai Yuan also chimed in for fun, “I’ll take a look too; maybe I can learn something.”
The atmosphere in the hall became lively.
Princess Pingcheng nestled beside Mother Empress, still smiling on her face, but the smile was somewhat stiff.
She knew this was Grandmother flattering her, cheering her on.
If she had truly ranked first, this would be adding flowers to brocade.
But now, she ranked second.
Grade A, lower.
This flattery and cheering had become a joke.
She actually ranked second.
She was actually surpassed by that Miss Yang.
That Miss Yang must be very happy now.
……
…..
In Duke Ding’an’s Mansion, there was no banquet nor celebration.
Only Yang Hui shouting loudly why this matter was just let go like this.
Duke Ding’an and his wife also looked puzzled.
Yes, why would it be like this?
Today waiting and waiting outside the National Academy, and this was the result.
The truth of the matter was announced, but the person wasn’t expelled from the National Academy and could continue reading.
This wasn’t the same as what His Majesty said at the beginning.
Clearly it was agreed upon, how did it change?
“Because I ranked first in the exam.” Mo Zheng said with a smile. “His Majesty cherishes talent.”
With that, she paid respects to Duke Ding’an and his wife and took leave.
“Uncle and Aunt, I’m going to help Miss Liu Chan pack her luggage. She couldn’t wait today and went back with her father. I’ll send the luggage over tomorrow.”
Duke Ding’an and his wife looked at the young girl standing behind Mo Zheng.
Since the true identities were announced, Liu Chan no longer needed to pretend to be Miss Yang, and this maidservant who had impersonated Liu Chan had also returned.
“She’s continuing to attend school too?” Duke Ding’an thought of something and pointed at the maidservant. “She’s just a maidservant…”
“What’s wrong with me being a maidservant?” Yang Luo said with a half-smile. “I passed the selection exam on my own, and in this exam I got Grade C upper, while Miss Yang Hui got the lowest grade.”
At this point, she let out an “oh.”
“Didn’t they say there’s punishment for the lowest grade? Duke and Madam, quickly go find His Majesty; don’t let the National Academy expel Miss Hui.”
Yang Hui was furious: “You—”
“Try calling me a lowly maidservant!” Yang Luo also shouted loudly. “I passed the Libationer’s exam and was pardoned by His Majesty to continue reading at the National Academy! Scolding me is scolding His Majesty and the Libationer!”
Yang Hui was stunned, thinking she was talking nonsense, but when the words reached her mouth, she truly didn’t dare scold, only stamping her foot and shouting at father and mother, “Look at her!”
Duke Ding’an and his wife had even more headaches from the noise.
“All of you, get out!”
“Those who didn’t do well in the exam, go reflect yourselves!”
“You who did well and were pardoned for your wrongs, don’t get complacent either!”
Yang Hui didn’t get comfort from her parents and was instead scolded; furious, she ran off crying.
Mo Zheng took Yang Luo and didn’t argue further, agreed and took leave.
The noisy children all left, and the hall finally quieted down. Duke Ding’an and his wife exchanged a glance, exhaustion and even more confusion in their eyes.
Cherishes talent?
Real or fake?
Could the Emperor truly pity this child?
“It’s not impossible.” Duke Ding’an’s Wife murmured. “His Majesty is actually very good to our family’s children. Think about how he treats Hui’er usually…”
Although they rarely went before His Majesty usually, during holidays when paying respects, as long as they brought the children, especially Yang Hui, the Emperor would always look at them a couple extra times.
He would also call Yang Hui close and give her a pastry or fruit wine or such food.
These were unremarkable things, but this was also treatment others couldn’t get.
So, although he didn’t know now that this Miss Yang was his wife’s younger sister’s daughter, just because she was a Miss of the Yang Family, he pitied her a bit more.
“Then if he knew…” Duke Ding’an subconsciously stood up.
Wouldn’t that be even more serious?
He suddenly thought of this; maybe he shouldn’t have listened to the Chai Clan in hiding this child.
Their Yang Family even had a real princess.
“You’re confused!” Duke Ding’an’s Wife hurriedly pulled him back, whispering urgently, “So what if it’s a princess! Even if she can win His Majesty’s favor now, what about in the future?”
After His Majesty passes away, the new emperor will be the Chai Clan’s maternal grandson!
If they offend the Chai Clan, their descendants will have no good days!
This was also why from the beginning they bowed their heads to the Chai Clan.
Duke Ding’an calmed down, his face immediately turning worried again.
“Then we’re in trouble.” He said. “The Chai Clan must be very unhappy.”
With that, he hurriedly stood up.
“I need to quickly go explain to Marquis Yichun.”
This result had nothing to do with them.
It was that girl who ranked first herself!
Liu Chan’s luggage was simple; Mo Zheng could pack it alone. While tidying Yang Luo’s room, Yang Luo also brought back meal from the kitchen.
The two sat down to eat and talk.
Regarding today’s result, Yang Luo was also puzzled at the time.
She hadn’t expected the Emperor not to expel them from the National Academy. She originally thought even if they ranked, it would be by the emperor’s word, with no one able to stop it.
On the way back in the carriage, Mo Zheng also told her the reason.
Cherishes talent.
Unlike Duke Ding’an and his wife who didn’t believe it, Yang Luo believed it, because she knew this wasn’t the Emperor cherishing talent, but the Libationer cherishing talent.
And the Libationer was someone who could stop the Emperor.
“In my previous life, I had no chance to get acquainted with someone like the Libationer.” Yang Luo sighed. “In this life with A Sheng you, my fate is indeed different.”
Mo Zheng smiled: “If there was no Miss, I wouldn’t have a chance to come to the Capital City, much less enter the National Academy. No matter how talented I am, I couldn’t rank first or be pitied.”
Yang Luo laughed and suddenly took out a flower from her sleeve.
“Congratulations, Miss, on bravely seizing first place.” She said.
Mo Zheng was stunned, seeing it was a flower carved from a radish.
Yang Luo’s voice continued: “It was carved by a servant woman in the kitchen. I suppose I’m borrowing flowers to offer Buddha.”
Mo Zheng reached out to take it, her smile blooming: “Thank you for the gift, Miss.”
She held it under the lamp and gently turned it, the radish petals crystal clear and translucent.
