Jiang Ye was originally in the imperial study. As soon as he heard the news here, he rushed over in a hurry.
Meeting Jiang Ning'an's somewhat teasing look, Jiang Ye remained calm as ever. "Let the princess laugh."
The Marquis of Xuanping was caught in the middle, looking left and right, full of questions.
Why did he feel that these two seemed quite familiar with each other?
Although when Fang Wanyao was still alive, she had made an acquaintance and engagement between their children with the Princess Regent, after Jiang Ning'an was born, she was mostly raised in the palace and had no interactions with Jiang Ye.
Before the Marquis of Xuanping could figure it out, Jiang Wenlan had already spoken. "Just wait until I tell you! You're planning to do such a big thing without even discussing it with the family. You just decide to hold a poetry gathering and give out silver as you like. Do you even put Father in your eyes?"
Jiang Wenlan's voice was quite loud. Many people around looked over. However, Jiang Ye simply ignored her. "Why did the princess come here?"
"To gain some knowledge."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone widened their eyes.
The dignified princess came to this place to gain knowledge?!
The Marquis of Xuanping wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. "Princess, please don't joke."
"Do you think I look like I'm joking with you?"
Jiang Ning'an stared at him expressionlessly.
The Marquis of Xuanping forced a smile and couldn't say a word.
According to the news he had just received, this princess was the most powerful one in history, without a doubt. In front of Jiang Ning'an, even a marquis like him could only bow and scrape.
"It's just a few taels of silver. And it's supposed to be the noble Marquis's Mansion. It's really embarrassing," Jiang Ning'an said without giving the Marquis of Xuanping any face at all. "Lin Ji, go and ask how much silver is needed to hold this poetry gathering. I'll pay for it."
As soon as she finished speaking, the Marquis of Xuanping quickly said, "No, no. This poetry gathering has already been held in the name of our Marquis's Mansion. How could we let the princess pay for it?
Besides, this little amount of silver really doesn't matter to the Marquis's Mansion. Please don't spend your money, princess!"
Jiang Ning'an raised her eyebrows. "Oh? Now you don't think that silver is that important?"
"The princess is joking. I'm even worried that this poetry gathering is not grand enough to welcome the princess today!"
Jiang Ning'an sneered. "Alright. I like quietness. Those who are not relevant should leave. Don't delay me from gaining knowledge."
The Marquis of Xuanping quickly responded and stepped forward. He grabbed Jiang Wenlan and took her outside.
After the father - daughter pair left, Jiang Ye stepped forward to lead the way for her. He took her to a quiet pavilion and asked someone to lower the gauze curtains around so that they wouldn't be disturbed by outsiders' gazes.
Jiang Ning'an sighed with emotion. "Your family is quite lively."
"Let the princess laugh."
Jiang Ning'an leaned on the beauty couch, with a bit of teasing in her eyes. "If the young master of the Jiang family is so short of silver, why not work for me? I'll give you a monthly salary. How about it?"
Jiang Ye met her gaze. "I don't need silver to work for the princess."
Jiang Ye's eyes were as black as ink, and it was always hard to see through him. However, at this moment, Jiang Ning'an could see into his heart at a glance.
There was undisguised loyalty towards her.
Jiang Ning'an was slightly stunned.
Did Jiang Ye agree?
"Don't try to save money for me."
Jiang Ye still shook his head. "The princess can just give me orders. I will go all out."
Jiang Ning'an looked at him deeply. "But after all, this poetry gathering was held for me. I'll make up the silver for you."
Jiang Ye wanted to say it was unnecessary.
Today's incident was just an excuse for Jiang Wenlan to make trouble. No matter how down - on - their - luck the Marquis's Mansion was, they wouldn't haggle over a few hundred taels of silver.
But before he could refuse, Jiang Ning'an had already spoken again. "Didn't you say you wanted to work for me? Since that's the case, you naturally can't let those messy things distract you, right?"
Jiang Ye pondered for a moment and then nodded. "I'll do as the princess says."
Soon, the poetry gathering began.
The talented scholars vied with each other to recite poems, all aiming to win the first place.
Jiang Ye listened and sometimes couldn't help but nod.
Among these students from poor families, there were quite a few with remarkable strength.
Just as Jiang Ye was about to ask for Jiang Ning'an's opinion, he turned around and found that Jiang Ning'an had fallen asleep.
Meng Chun stepped forward unsurprisingly and covered her with a blanket.
Jiang Ye:...
He had heard from the crown prince before that Jiang Ning'an would fall asleep as soon as she saw books. When the emperor and the empress taught her lessons, they were so angry that they even took turns to complain in front of the Princess Regent's spiritual tablet. He had thought the crown prince was exaggerating, but now he saw that it was really true.
While thinking like this, he sat further away from Jiang Ning'an.
Outside the pavilion, there were many people curiously looking inside. Jiang Ning'an's reputation had just improved a bit. It wouldn't be a good thing to be associated with him.
—
At noon, Jiang Ning'an slowly woke up.
She was hungry.
There was a banquet at the poetry gathering, but Jiang Ning'an didn't plan to eat there.
"If the young master of the Jiang family doesn't mind, would you like to go back with me?"
Jiang Ye nodded.
The two left together and returned to the Princess Regent's Mansion.
On the way, the carriage suddenly stopped.
Then, Jiang Ning'an heard a voice outside. "Young master, it's Madam's half - integer birthday this year. Even the old madam has come here especially. There will be a family banquet in two days. Madam said that she hopes you can go back no matter what."
"... I see."
After the voice faded, the carriage continued to move forward.
When they arrived at the gate of the Princess Regent's Mansion, Jiang Ning'an got off the carriage and said, "It's not strange for your grandmother to come and hold a family banquet. Do you want me to go back with you to support you? Consider it as repaying your favor."
Jiang Ye shook his head. "I don't plan to use the princess's favor now."
Jiang Ning'an was stunned.
Why did she feel that Jiang Ye had already thought about how to use that favor?
The two entered the mansion together and asked someone to set the lunch in the flower hall.
Jiang Ning'an directly sat down in a seat near the door. "Judging from how your sister behaved today, your situation at home doesn't seem very good. Can you handle it in two days?"
"Are you worried about me?"
Meeting Jiang Ye's pitch - black eyes, Jiang Ning'an nodded理所当然. "Of course. You're my man."
She always took sides.
Hearing her answer, a smile flashed across Jiang Ye's face. "I can handle it. The princess doesn't need to worry."
After saying that, he lowered his head.
I don't know if it was an illusion, but Jiang Ning'an felt that the curve of his lips became even bigger.
It was really strange.
At this time, the servant brought up the lunch. Jiang Ning'an didn't have the time to think about whether Jiang Ye was smiling or not. She focused all her attention on eating.
Jiang Ye said, "The emperor has deprived Young Master Xu of his title of Tanhua and demoted him to a commoner. Does the princess know about this?"
Jiang Ning'an raised her eyebrows. "What's going on?"
After Jiang Ye told her Xu Linchuan's crimes, Jiang Ning'an knew that the emperor was venting his anger for her.
Sure enough, her uncle was the best to her!
Just as Jiang Ning'an was feeling happy and her appetite improved a lot, Meng Chun quickly stepped forward. "Princess, Chu Yu has gone out."