Chu Junyi and Li Xinyue shot their heads up abruptly. They glanced at each other, then awkwardly averted their gazes.
The queen also gaped. Wouldn't that mean even her Rong'er would have to go?
This young champion, Chu, was of the same young age as Rong'er. When young men and women got together, it was hard not to develop feelings.
She didn't want Rong'er to marry a poor son - in - law in the future.
Why did the emperor initiate the imperial examinations? Wasn't it to promote scholars from poor families and break the monopoly of the aristocratic families?
If Rong'er married a poor son - in - law, it would mean standing on the opposite side of the aristocratic families, standing in the midst of the storm.
She didn't want that.
"Your Majesty, it may be inconvenient for a male teacher to teach female students," the queen said.
Emperor Mingde interrupted the queen's words nonchalantly. "Your Majesty is over - worrying. There are many male teachers teaching female students across the land. A curtain can be hung in the middle.
Moreover, if they behave uprightly, there's no need to hide. Hiding would only invite gossips. Yuanyang, tell Father, between you two..."
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing," Li Xinyue couldn't bear this torment any longer. When her words blurted out, they were not only angry but also a bit impatient, abruptly cutting off Emperor Mingde's unfinished words.
When she realized what she had done, her heart skipped a beat.
But when she looked up to see if Father was angry, Father had already turned to look at Chu Junyi.
"Champion Chu, what do you say?"
Chu Junyi felt a sinking feeling in his heart, with indescribable emotions. "I and Princess Yuanyang..."
Li Xinyue's heart was pounding in her throat.
This day was just too exciting!
The queen and Li Xinrong didn't have much hope at first, but suddenly they had a glimmer of expectation, hoping that Chu Junyi would admit something.
"I do know Princess Yuanyang," Chu Junyi said.
Li Xinyue felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
The queen's eyes lit up.
Li Xinrong said excitedly, "See? I knew there was something between them! If there's nothing between them, I'll eat this table."
Chu Junyi raised his voice a bit. "I only said we knew each other. Where is Princess Fourteen's imagination running to? Just now, I was resting on the shore and happened to see Princess Six and Princess Fourteen passing by. That's how I got to know the two princesses."
Li Xinyue secretly let out a sigh of relief. Her hands tightened and then loosened, loosened and then tightened. She really wanted to grab this guy and give him a good beating!
"Just talk. Why are you gasping so loudly! Is it fun?"
Li Xinyue rarely agreed with Li Xinrong's words.
Emperor Mingde's face darkened slightly for a moment, but then he burst into laughter. He patted Chu Junyi on the shoulder appreciatively, helped him up with one hand. "The champion is truly a gentleman. He speaks and acts in an open and above - board manner. Good! I like it! I like it!"
Everyone twitched the corners of their mouths and broke out in a cold sweat.
"Why is Your Majesty here? Why aren't you having a drinking spree with the ministers?"
"Alas, they're all familiar faces. I've seen them for years. The crown prince can handle them. I've been sitting for so long that my butt hurts. So I walked around. When I heard something about a relationship, how could I miss it? I had to come and see who it was!"
Li Xinyue, who had just walked out of the side hall and hadn't gone far, heard the conversation between Father and the queen.
The queen forced a laugh and changed the subject. Then someone closed the door, blocking the sound inside.
The wind blew across the lake. The splashing water hit the hull, making a thumping sound.
Li Xinyue rubbed her legs, which were almost scared weak. She raised her eyes and glared fiercely at Chu Junyi, the culprit.
Chu Junyi paused for a moment. As if he had just noticed her, he lifted his chin and turned around. "Your Highness, remember to leave the door for me tonight." Then, in Li Xinyue's stunned gaze, he walked away calmly.
Li Xinyue was stunned. It took her a while to react. This guy didn't want money. He wanted her!
"Don't push your luck!"
Chu Junyi turned back. "Then I'll have a good talk with the emperor and the queen."
"Fine! Fine!"
"I agree! But you have to promise me this is the last time. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude!"
"Just the last time! And I won't force the princess to do anything she doesn't want to do. I just need a little favor!"
Li Xinyue sneered. What kind of favor had to be done at night and only she could do it!
Beast!
But the next moment, the ring on her hand was suddenly taken off by Chu Junyi.
Li Xinyue reached out to grab it, but Chu Junyi held it high above his head and quickly stepped back.
"I'm afraid the princess won't leave the door for me tonight, so I have to leave myself a way out. If the princess doesn't come to me, maybe someone else will come to me tonight."
Looking at the fuming Li Xinyue, Chu Junyi's tight lips curved slightly. His bad mood for the past three months improved a lot.
But Li Xinyue was in a bad state. After this incident, she might never be able to face men again because she was afraid of them.
Chu Junyi was one example, and Murong Xiu was another. These two living examples were enough for her to see the reality clearly.
As night fell and the evening breeze blew gently.
In the princess mansion, Li Xinyue lay on the couch with her eyes closed. Her right hand nervously stroked each finger of her left hand. She wore a ring on each finger, which gave her a sense of security. Only her ring finger was empty. When she touched it, she felt uneasy.
Her personal belongings in the hands of an outside man. If it got out, it wouldn't be good.
Moreover, Chu Junyi was so cunning. How could he break off easily with her?
No, she had to come up with a plan.
"Go to the restaurant that the eldest princess often goes to and book a private room. Arrange him there. If he asks, tell him it's my order. He can go or not. It's up to him."
Generally speaking, he would go.
She knew this dog - man's temper!
Her confidant respectfully replied, "Yes."
Li Xinyue frowned. Her eyes under the eyelids moved slightly. There was still uneasiness on her face.
"Make sure he really goes to that restaurant. And don't let anyone find out that you're with him."
"Yes."
"Also. The queen may also send someone there. Find a way to tell the queen's people his location."
"Yes."
"Finally!" She opened her eyes, sat up abruptly from the couch, and looked at her confidant with a confident smile. "Book a private room opposite the restaurant for me. I'm going to watch a show!"
Watching him flirt with the eldest princess and be witnessed by the queen's people. It must be quite a feeling!
Li Xinyue raised her eyebrows. She almost wrote the word "pleased" on her face.
The candlelight flickered in the shabby and dim room. Chu Junyi had just washed his face and was slowly wiping his hands with the towel on the wooden stand.
Half - way through, he paused. He remembered Li Xinyue's bright and vivid face during the day, sometimes smiling wickedly, sometimes looking at the sky guiltily, sometimes gnashing her teeth.
He also remembered that night. The same face, sometimes with slightly lowered eyebrows, looking pitiful, sometimes with lips curving upwards, looking wanton, sometimes shining brightly, captivating.
Maybe she was really drunk. She might not remember the most unique and captivating part, but he remembered it clearly and couldn't forget it.
That was why he had had spring dreams for three months.
He even regretted that he didn't take her that night, which had now become his obsession.