After Lin Zhiran finished his lesson, Yun Xuan respectfully thanked the master.
Ji Feiyu stood up and smiled gently. "Just now, Mr. Lin talked about etiquette. I, Huang Ying, have a question..."
"I'd like to hear it in detail." Lin Zhiran was gentle and elegant.
It was rare for Yun Xuan to see his sister - in - law discussing etiquette. He stayed to listen carefully. He heard the two of them chatting smoothly, their words as precious as pearls. Yun Xuan couldn't help being astonished. Was this still the playful sister - in - law he knew? Although his knowledge was shallow, it was obvious that the two of them were on a par. No wonder his sister - in - law dared to be his etiquette teacher...
After a stick of incense burned out, Lin Zhiran's face was full of joy. He said excitedly, "I didn't know that Mr. Huang Ying had such a thorough understanding of the word 'etiquette'. I've gained a lot from chatting with you."
Ji Feiyu also looked eager. "I didn't expect it either. Mr. Lin can be regarded as half of my bosom friend. Etiquette can clarify virtue. How wonderful!"
"I'm honored, but I dare not claim to be a bosom friend of Mr. Huang. May I ask which great master your teacher is?"
Ji Feiyu was slightly stunned and then casually replied, "My teacher is an unknown person, a wandering crane with no fixed abode. It was only when I grew up that I knew he was extremely learned, but I haven't seen him since."
This was half - true and half - false. It was true that her grand tutor was extremely learned, but it was false that he was unknown. Although Ji Feiyu was a princess of an unknown small country, the king had spared no expense to cultivate her. The teachers the king invited for her were all first - class talents. The most outstanding one was her grand tutor, who was well - versed in both literature and military strategy. His good reputation and means were well - known, and even the king of Dayong was a little jealous of him.
It was a pity that Ji Feiyu was playful in her youth and didn't focus on her studies. However, even so, due to her grand tutor's strictness, she still achieved something.
Ji Feiyu seemed to recall the scene of being beaten on the palm by her grand tutor and wanted to end this topic. She said, "It's getting late today. I still need to teach Yun Xuan later. Mr. Lin can go back and rest first."
Lin Zhiran immediately understood. "It's my rudeness. In that case, I'll take my leave first." He bowed to Yun Xuan. Yun Xuan returned the salute and watched him off. "Take care, sir."
Ji Feiyu nodded. After Lin Zhiran left, Yun Xuan said, "Sister - in - law, did you come today to assess the teacher's knowledge for me?"
Assessing knowledge. Ji Feiyu smiled faintly. There was indeed a bit of that. The surname Lin was rare. She knew whose descendant Lin Zhiran was without asking. Old Fox Lin was not a simple person. Since Lin Zhiran had entered the official career, there must be Old Fox Lin's involvement. In that case, she would reluctantly help that stinky man, Yong Yaxuan, to find out Lin Zhiran's real ability and see if there was any false pretense in his title of third - place finisher in the imperial examination. But this couldn't be said openly. Otherwise, it would be questioning the imperial examination system of Dayong. She didn't expect that Old Fox Lin had raised a gentle lamb. Ji Feiyu found this interesting.
Ji Feiyu folded her arms, looking proud and naughty. "What was the agreement today? Call me sir."
As soon as Yun Xuan heard this, he immediately obediently called out, "Mr. Huang Ying, Mr. Huang Ying, come and teach Yun Xuan quickly. Yun Xuan can't wait."
Ji Feiyu laughed heartily. After tidying up, she started teaching Yun Xuan.
After the lesson, she returned to Qiwu Palace and had just taken a short rest.
Yong Yaxuan came over. He came at a good time.
At this time, Ji Feiyu was half - lying on the beauty's couch, propping her head with her hand and closing her eyes to rest. Hearing the announcement, she said coquettishly, "Your Majesty, I'm a bit tired and taking a nap. I won't get up to greet you."
Yong Yaxuan walked in with a cold face. "You're so tired, my dear. Where did you go today?"
Hearing his unfriendly tone and seeing his cold face, Ji Feiyu felt strange. She joked with him, "Which concubine did Your Majesty get angry with? You might as well tell me and let me deal with her."
Yong Yaxuan stared at her with a bad look on his face. "Who else could it be?"
Ji Feiyu was puzzled. "What have I done wrong to Your Majesty?" Seeing this, she woke up and sat up from the couch.
Yong Yaxuan looked resentful. "My dear, your acting skills are really good. I didn't expect that you took a fancy to the third - place finisher at the royal banquet."
Ji Feiyu felt a pang in her heart. It was still discovered. She couldn't help standing up and asking, "Is it just because I went to the eighteenth prince's place today?"
Yong Yaxuan seemed to have no mood to talk to her more. He said coldly, "Doesn't the queen know that she shouldn't meet foreign officials privately behind my back?"
"But I didn't meet him as the queen. I thought that when it came to discussing learning, status was no longer important."
"What learning can you discuss with him?" Yong Yaxuan questioned.
Ji Feiyu looked at him without saying a word. Yong Yaxuan was going crazy with anger. At this moment, she still didn't understand. Who was Lin Zhiran? He was the son of Old Fox Lin!
He blurted out without thinking, "It's funny to say. You even have the ability to teach Yun Xuan etiquette. Do you know what etiquette is? When have you ever complied with the etiquette of the queen?"
The etiquette of the queen. The scope was so broad! Ji Feiyu was a bit incredulous that he would say such a thing. She couldn't help retorting, "Does the emperor think that I'm a wild person and have never been educated?"
"The word 'etiquette' is extremely important. When have you really understood it?" Yong Yaxuan lowered his voice and growled.
Ji Feiyu thought it was a bit funny. All her efforts were completely denied in an instant. He said she didn't understand etiquette just because she met a foreign official. But when she managed the harem, she always complied with etiquette, from holding grand events to disciplining the maids. She had been familiar with poetry and books since childhood and believed that there was no gender difference in the scope of knowledge. In ancient times, there were female scholars who left their names in history, and their masterpieces were no less excellent than those of men.
"So the emperor thinks that I have no talent and learning, and I'm not worthy of my position, so I can't teach the eighteenth prince?"
"I never said so." Yong Yaxuan quickly denied when he saw the topic going astray.
"But that's exactly what you mean!" Ji Feiyu was also angry.
Yong Yaxuan said anxiously, "I just don't want you to meet Lin Zhiran!"
But Ji Feiyu deliberately contradicted him because of anger. "So what if I meet him? I admire his literary talent."
Hearing this, Yong Yaxuan's mind was about to explode. "What did you say?!"
Seeing him out of control, Ji Feiyu said coldly, "I also admire his appearance." Admiring anything was false. At this moment, winning the quarrel and infuriating Yong Yaxuan were real.
These words exploded in Yong Yaxuan's ears. Yong Yaxuan couldn't believe it. His face showed a variety of expressions - sadness, heartache... Finally, it turned into a weak sentence full of doubt and inquiry. "Is it just because he looks like Cheng Xuan?"
It was Ji Feiyu's turn to change her expression. "Don't you mention him! What right do you have to mention him?"
Yong Chengxuan, Ji Feiyu's white moonlight and Yong Yaxuan's elder brother, was a taboo between the two of them.
"Do you like him so much?" Yong Yaxuan's body was shaking when he said this.
Ji Feiyu stared at him fixedly, not knowing how to answer.
Yong Yaxuan nodded to himself, said nothing, and left with a flick of his sleeve. He was extremely disappointed.
Ji Feiyu watched his back disappear. Suddenly, her heart began to ache. She covered her chest and slumped back onto the couch as if she had lost all her strength.
Some words didn't need to be said. Why did it have to be like this?