"Your Highness, the Princess Royal!"
At the sight of the approaching figure, everyone immediately made way and stood respectfully on both sides.
Just a moment ago, Yun Ni had been being a nuisance. But now, as if someone had grabbed her vital point, she cowered in the corner, shivering like a cicada in cold weather, her whole body tense.
As the supreme administrator of the women's academy, the authority of the Princess Royal was naturally not to be underestimated.
Moreover, Yun Ni had never been diligent in her studies. She always bossed around the other female students and acted overbearingly. The female teachers were at their wits' end, but it was the Princess Royal who finally managed to tame her.
She was as docile as a cat with its claws clipped.
Yun Xi watched this scene in surprise, which further convinced her of the Princess Royal's reputation.
"Yun Xi of the Prime Minister's Mansion pays respects to Your Highness, the Princess Royal!"
It was their first meeting, so Yun Xi didn't dare to be negligent. She bowed respectfully.
The Princess Royal was dressed in a brocade robe embroidered with peacock patterns in emerald and gold thread, and a cloak woven with emerald patterns on her shoulders. A complete set of rubies on her head made her look even more noble and imposing.
She slightly raised her phoenix eyes and gave Yun Xi a cursory glance.
"So it's you. This princess thought you weren't coming today."
The female student who had caused a stir as soon as she entered the academy had never been liked by the Princess Royal.
The women's academy she was in charge of was a place for women to study and improve themselves. She wouldn't allow anyone to act in a maverick way here.
Not to mention that she had never liked the Queen's interference in inserting someone midway, which had broken the rules here!
Feeling the Princess Royal's displeasure, Yun Xi didn't show any panic. Instead, she took out the food boxes behind her and placed them in front of her.
"How dare Yun Xi! Yun Xi knows that she has broken the rules by joining the class midway and feels deeply ashamed. I've heard that every year when new students enter the women's academy, the Princess Royal will set a test question, and this year it is 'paying respects to the teacher with a gift'. Even though Yun Xi joined midway, she should still follow the rules!"
"So, Yun Xi started preparing a few days ago. It has taken a lot of time until today. I hope the Princess Royal will forgive me!"
Watching her young lady speak so eloquently without blushing or gasping, Yu Zhu hung her head, feeling extremely guilty.
If only her young lady hadn't been busy eating on the 18th Street and insisted on waiting for the mochi balls to come out of the pot, they could have arrived half an hour earlier!
As for the so - called ceremony of paying respects to the teacher, not to mention a few days ago, even at this moment, it was the first time she had heard her young lady mention it.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, the Princess Royal relaxed her frown. She glanced at the two huge food boxes and said to the woman who had been following her all the time.
"Xue Ming, go and open them."
"Yes."
Wei Xue Ming stepped forward gracefully. Meeting Yun Xi's gaze, she gave a charming smile and then opened the food boxes.
"Reporting to the Princess Royal, they are some snacks."
Wei Xue Ming's expression was a bit strange, but she still answered truthfully.
Hearing this, some people couldn't help snickering.
"My goodness, she actually prepared snacks as the 'gift for paying respects to the teacher'. She's so stupid!"
"This is the Princess Royal! How could she be bribed with just some food?"
"Right. I've long heard that the eldest miss of the Prime Minister's Mansion is a vain and good - for - nothing person. Seeing her today, I'm really amazed at her shallowness!"
The sarcastic remarks kept coming, but Yun Xi didn't show the slightest bit of anger. The Princess Royal observed her for a long time before slowly saying.
"Tell me, why did you choose these as the gifts for paying respects to the teacher?"
She wanted to see what tricks this Yun Xi could play in front of so many people.
She was not as easy to bribe as the Queen!
Getting the chance to speak, Yun Xi carefully chose her words.
"Your Highness, the Princess Royal, is noble and has elegant tastes. Ordinary vulgar things must not catch your eye. Since this is the 'gift for paying respects to the teacher', Yun Xi naturally wants to choose something you like."
Hearing this, the Princess Royal sneered.
"This princess does pay some attention to food, but I'm not so indiscriminate. Do you think these street snacks can catch my eye?"
As a member of the royal family and the most beloved eldest daughter of the late emperor, the things she enjoyed were beyond the reach of other princesses.
Even an important place like the women's academy was personally ordered by the late emperor for her to take over until now, and no one dared to say a word.
This Yun Xi was really as self - conceited as her father, Yun Sheng!
She underestimated her too much!
Not knowing why the Princess Royal suddenly looked cold without listening to the rest of her words, Yun Xi steadied her mind and continued.
"The Princess Royal has misunderstood. Yun Xi doesn't mean to deceive you with these snacks."
Then, she signaled Yu Zhu to open each layer of the food boxes, displaying the dazzling array of snacks.
"I've heard that the Princess Royal has been doing her best for the development of the women's academy. Every three years, there will be reforms and new courses will be opened. Last year, on the basis of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, embroidery, poetry and literature, flower arrangement and perfume - making were also added, allowing female students to master more skills and enrich themselves."
"But the ancients said: 'A woman should be able to conduct herself elegantly in public and manage household affairs well.' A woman is required to be dignified and virtuous, and also to be well - rounded. Although the daughters of noble families don't need to cook by themselves, learning good cooking skills would be even better, wouldn't it?"
Yun Xi's words made the Princess Royal fall into deep thought.
Indeed, although she was a princess, she also paid attention to cooking.
It was because her husband - in - law had a poor stomach and couldn't get used to the food in the Liu Kingdom. So she had tried every means to make her husband - in - law stop losing weight.
However, as for the women's academy, she had never had such an idea.
Thinking of this, the Princess Royal said.
"Everyone disperse. You come with this princess! Xue Ming, you come too."
"Yes."
Just like this, several people carried the food boxes and followed the Princess Royal away, leaving a group of stunned female students behind.
Yun Ni stared at the direction where Yun Xi left unwillingly.
She had thought that the Princess Royal would punish the late - arriving Yun Xi severely. She didn't expect it to end so casually. Moreover, Yun Xi was even called to the Princess Royal's courtyard.
She had been in the academy for almost half a year, but she had never been to the Princess Royal's courtyard!
In the Princess Royal's villa, several people were staring at the cold food on the table. Yun Xi looked regretful.
She had deliberately taken insulation measures on the way. It was all because they had wasted too much time in the corridor of the front hall.
Just as she was mourning the food, the Princess Royal picked up a piece of pear cake and put it into her mouth. After tasting it carefully, she picked up a few other kinds.
"Why did you choose these snacks?"
The Princess Royal wiped her fingers and looked at Yun Xi.
Hearing the meaning in the Princess Royal's words, Yun Xi said.
"Although these snacks can't compare with the mountain delicacies and the sea treasures, they have a unique flavor. Moreover, the process of making snacks is relatively simple and takes less time. They can be eaten immediately after being made and are easy to carry. More importantly, Yun Xi has heard that the Princess Royal not only cares about the academy but also pays great attention to the livelihood of the people..."
Although the Princess Royal was very strict, she was well - known for her kindness.
"Do you mean to let the women's academy offer cooking courses and make food for the common people?"
Because of Yun Sheng, although the Princess Royal didn't like Yun Xi, she thought her idea was novel.
But it was a bit unrealistic and difficult to implement...