When Ji Feiyu woke up the next day, she looked at the empty bed. As expected, after Yong Yaxuan went back, he didn't come back to find her.
She called the maids to help her with her makeup and then went to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.
After seeing the Empress Dowager and paying her respects, the Empress Dowager asked her to stay and talk. The two of them talked about the good news from the battle the previous night.
The Empress Dowager praised, "The Empress is really capable. This time, Great Yong has recovered two cities without a single battle. Moreover, the indemnity can be used to console the people in these two cities, and the annual tribute can help them recuperate. It's really rare. I must reward the Empress."
Ji Feiyu smiled, "Your Majesty, I'm already the Empress. What more rewards do I need? If you're in a good mood, how about holding a garden party in the palace when all the flowers are in full bloom? We can bring in some interesting folk items, arrange some games like arrow - throwing and riddle - guessing, so that the sisters in the palace can also have some fun."
The Empress Dowager said happily, "The Empress really has good ideas. It's approved."
Just like that, the garden party was put on the agenda. When the concubines came to pay respects to the Empress, Ji Feiyu spread the news. As expected, all the concubines in the palace perked up and were extremely happy. They all praised the Empress for her kindness.
Seeing their reactions, Ji Feiyu was more certain that she wasn't the only one who found life in the harem extremely boring.
Compared with other concubines, she was in a better situation. Managing various affairs in the harem took up most of her time. The rest of the time, she could play around with Yong Yaxuan a few times, and when she was free, she had to check on the studies of the little eighteenth prince.
The little eighteenth prince was the youngest brother of the Emperor. Because he was still young and his mother had passed away early, he had always lived in the palace and hadn't been enfeoffed and moved out of the palace.
After the concubines finished paying their respects, Ji Feiyu checked the date and found that it was time to check on the little eighteenth prince's studies again.
Ji Feiyu changed into a light yellow gown and then led her entourage to the little eighteenth prince's residence.
The little eighteenth prince had already gotten up and was reading a book. Hearing the noise, he quickly stood up and ran over, "Sister - in - law! You're here."
Ji Feiyu opened her arms, waiting for him to throw himself into her embrace. However, the little eighteenth prince suddenly stopped in front of her. Ji Feiyu was slightly stunned, "What's wrong, little eighteenth prince? It's been a while since we last met. Won't you come forward to express your longing?"
There was a look of entanglement on the little eighteenth prince's tender face, "No, no, sister - in - law, it's not like that. The Emperor brother said that if Yun Xuan throws himself at you one more time, he will send Yun Xuan to the coal mine!"
How could he say such a thing?! Ji Feiyu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but soon she decided not to care about it.
"Now that your Emperor brother isn't here, can't you give sister - in - law a hug? Don't you like sister - in - law the most?"
The little eighteenth prince looked at Ji Feiyu with a wronged face. But instinctively, the moment Ji Feiyu approached, he threw himself into her arms heavily, "Sister - in - law! Yun Xuan misses you so much!"
Ji Feiyu picked him up and stroked his head with a smile, "Yun Xuan is a good boy!"
Which child didn't like a warm hug?
The little eighteenth prince rubbed his nose in Ji Feiyu's arms and then pitifully coquetted, "My mother passed away early, and the Emperor brother won't let Yun Xuan hug you. It's so unfair..."
Ji Feiyu echoed, "Yes, yes, he's just being naughty on purpose! As compensation, sister - in - law will come and accompany you more in the next two days. How about that?"
The little eighteenth prince looked at Ji Feiyu in disbelief, "Really?"
Ji Feiyu nodded with a smile, "Of course it's true. Sister - in - law has also found a very knowledgeable person to be your tutor. Do you think sister - in - law is good?"
"Really? Sister - in - law is so kind!" The little eighteenth prince looked extremely happy.
Ji Feiyu nodded.
"Oops!" He struggled to get off Ji Feiyu, "Oh no, Yun Xuan hasn't practiced calligraphy today. Sister - in - law will scold me when she checks later!"
Ji Feiyu put him down and said, "Sister - in - law can check your previous works first."
The little eighteenth prince had already run to the desk in a flash, spreading out the paper and grinding the ink, "No, no. Sister - in - law is very strict when checking my studies. Yun Xuan still has to be a good boy."
"Strict?" Ji Feiyu heard his true feelings today and couldn't help laughing again. One couldn't be lenient at all when it came to studies. So she said, "Since that's the case, sister - in - law will also be your lecturer for a day today. You can see who is stricter?"
"Sister - in - law is going to teach Yun Xuan in person?" The little eighteenth prince couldn't quite believe it.
"Is that not okay?"
"Of course it's okay! Yun Xuan couldn't wish for it more."
Ji Feiyu looked at him with a smile. Suddenly, she felt that time passed so fast. Even the little eighteenth prince had grown so big.
Just then, the head maid came in to announce, "Your Highness, the new tutor has arrived at the door. Your Highness should go out to greet him according to the etiquette..." Before she could finish her words, she found Ji Feiyu inside and quickly knelt down, "Oh, this servant pays respects to the Empress! This servant didn't know the Empress was here..."
Ji Feiyu interrupted her, "No need for such formalities. Today, I've also become the lecturer of the eighteenth prince. Other identities can be ignored for now."
The maid was stunned for a moment and then immediately understood.
Ji Feiyu continued, "Since that's the case, you can go and attend to your business first. I'll accompany the little eighteenth prince to go out and greet the tutor."
Hearing this, the maid retreated.
Ji Feiyu turned to the little eighteenth prince and said, "You too. Later, just regard sister - in - law as your teacher. Don't call me sister - in - law anymore."
"Why is that?" The little eighteenth prince looked puzzled.
Ji Feiyu stroked his head and said with a smile, "Because since sister - in - law is going to be your teacher, there should only be the identity of a teacher."
The little eighteenth prince nodded thoughtfully and then really bowed respectfully, "Then this student pays respects!"
Ji Feiyu couldn't help but nod. The boy was teachable. She also got into the role, "Then Yun Xuan, follow your teacher to go out and greet the tutor."
The little eighteenth prince immediately followed her out. The two walked towards the door. They saw Lin Zhiran standing respectfully outside the door, waiting. His gentle temperament was like a beautiful jade. Seeing his familiar face, Ji Feiyu couldn't help holding her breath.
When Lin Zhiran saw the eighteenth prince coming out, with a beautiful woman in front of him, he couldn't help feeling a little strange.
But the beautiful woman spoke first, "I'm Huang Ying, the etiquette teacher of the eighteenth prince. I'm just about to teach a lesson today. Nice to meet you, tutor."
Lin Zhiran immediately understood and politely said, "Since we're both tutors of the eighteenth prince, Teacher Huang doesn't need to be so formal."
Ji Feiyu didn't expect that after she changed into a soft - looking dress and put on a light makeup, Lin Zhiran really didn't recognize her. She couldn't help thinking that he was a bookworm! She didn't think that when he came to toast the previous day, he hadn't even looked at her.
After Ji Feiyu and Lin Zhiran finished their greetings, the little eighteenth prince also stepped forward slowly and bowed to Lin Zhiran, "Yun Xuan pays respects to Teacher!"
Lin Zhiran immediately returned the salute, "Your humble servant, Lin Zhiran, pays respects to the eighteenth prince."
After the two finished the salutations, the little eighteenth prince led Lin Zhiran into the courtyard and directly to the study.
Ji Feiyu followed and said unhurriedly, "I've heard that the article you wrote in this year's imperial examination was extremely good, Teacher Lin. I'm fortunate to meet you in person. I wonder if I can sit in on your class."
Lin Zhiran smiled, "You flatter me, Teacher Huang. I'm really unworthy. If it's just sitting in, you can sit wherever you like."
Ji Feiyu nodded and really found a place to sit down in the study.
The little eighteenth prince looked back and couldn't help winking at Ji Feiyu. Ji Feiyu motioned for him to sit properly and listen attentively.
When the class started, Ji Feiyu found that Lin Zhiran was really high - spirited and extremely talented in literature. It was no exaggeration to praise him as a graceful and elegant gentleman whose presence could fill the room with fragrance. It seemed that it was really a right choice to find him to be the little eighteenth prince's teacher.