"I've heard that the Crown Princess has been doing quite well in her studies at the Imperial College. I suppose she's no less accomplished than Miss Song the Fourth."
Ji Lingchuan's words were like a thunderclap, startling Song Nanxin so much that she almost lost her composure on the spot.
Was he trying to test her because he had witnessed Song Yihuan's photographic memory yesterday?
Song Nanxin knew that she had been chosen by the Empress Dowager to marry into the Prince Ning's Mansion because of her good academic performance at the Imperial College.
In reality, however, for many courses at the college, such as mathematics, strategy discussions, and the Four Books, it was Song Yihuan who had attended classes on her behalf. She only attended the lectures she was interested in.
But from the moment she decided to scheme against Song Yihuan to take the blame for her in winning the prince's favor, she had made full preparations.
Steadying her nerves, Song Nanxin smiled modestly. "Your Highness is joking. I'm not very gifted. Unlike Yihuan, who has a photographic memory, I can only improve my knowledge through day - to - day hard work."
Ji Lingchuan asked quite naturally, "I'm quite curious. When did you enter the college, and what courses did you study there?"
Song Nanxin replied, "I entered the college in the sixteenth year of the Jinghong era. I've dabbled in poetry, books, rituals, music, archery, mathematics, tea - tasting, and incense - making."
Ji Lingchuan asked again, "Do you still remember the topic of the poetry exam during the first entrance exam in the sixteenth year of the Jinghong era?"
Song Nanxin smiled. "Of course I remember. It was spring then, and the topic was peach blossoms. I remember it very clearly."
After saying that, she began to talk about how troubled she was during the exam and how she answered the questions. She also said that she thought she would do poorly on that exam, but unexpectedly got an A - grade.
Ji Lingchuan then asked several more questions on different subjects. No matter what he asked, Song Nanxin could answer smoothly, her tone always calm and composed, as if she had everything under control.
The Princess of Prince Ning watched the exchange between the two with a smile on her face. She said to Ji Lingchuan, "Alright, asking so many questions. People who don't know might think you're a teacher at the Imperial College testing a student."
Since he couldn't get any useful information for the time being, Ji Lingchuan stopped.
Song Nanxin was concerned about the power to manage the mansion. Looking for an opportunity, she mentioned to the Princess of Prince Ning the villa and shops that had been entrusted to her management before. She subtly indicated that there had been no problems with them recently, and that she was quite free these days and could definitely relieve the princess's burden.
How could the Princess of Prince Ning not understand her intention? She thought she was in charge of too few things and was asking for more power.
Just then, she remembered something. She waved to the maid behind her, took an invitation card from the tray in the maid's hand, and handed it to Ji Lingchuan.
"The fourth day of July is the eightieth birthday of the Lady of the Duke of Jiang. The Duke of Jiang has sent out invitations far and wide in the capital city. One was sent to our Prince Ning's Mansion yesterday."
"The Lady Jiang is highly respected. Our Prince Ning's Mansion must show some respect. Chuan'er, for this birthday banquet of Lady Jiang, you should take the Crown Princess to represent our mansion and offer your birthday greetings."
"This is the first banquet you've attended since you returned from the border, and it's also the first time you'll be showing up with the Crown Princess. There will be many eyes on you two. When you get to the Duke of Jiang's Mansion that day, Chuan'er, you should take good care of the Crown Princess and the honor of the Marquis's Mansion."
Ji Lingchuan took the invitation card and replied solemnly, "Yes, Mother."
The Princess of Prince Ning then said to Song Nanxin, "I'll leave the selection of the birthday gift to you. First, handle this matter properly. After you come back, I'll consider letting you take care of more internal affairs."
Song Nanxin was overjoyed.
She had been married to Ji Lingchuan for several months. Although she had the title of the Crown Princess, she had never had a chance to show off properly. This time, going to the banquet with Ji Lingchuan, she could let everyone see what an outstanding man she had married.
So she said sweetly, "Don't worry, Mother. I'll surely choose a good birthday gift that can show the status of our Prince Ning's Mansion and make the Lady of the Duke of Jiang look good."
Rolling her eyes, she volunteered, "Mother, can I take Yihuan with me to this banquet?"
The Princess of Prince Ning raised her eyebrows and looked at Song Nanxin in surprise. "Oh? Why?"
Ji Lingchuan also looked at Song Nanxin. Although he didn't say anything, the question in his eyes was obvious.
Seeing that both of them looked puzzled, Song Nanxin explained,
"The Duke of Jiang has sent out invitations far and wide. I'm sure there will be many young talents at the banquet that day. Yihuan is old enough to get married now, but her marriage has not been settled yet. I was thinking of taking this opportunity to take her to the Duke's Mansion to look for a suitable husband."
Ji Lingchuan subconsciously clenched his fist, but then loosened it.
This was fine.
Let her elder sister choose a good husband for her. She shouldn't keep setting her sights on him and pestering him.
On the other side, the Princess of Prince Ning looked at Song Nanxin approvingly. "They say an elder sister is like a mother. Although you're not much older than her, you've indeed fulfilled your responsibility as an elder sister. Alright, then take her with you. Since you'll all be out of the mansion on the day of the banquet, I'll let Xiaoxuan'er come and keep me company."
Song Nanxin admitted that she was jealous.
What was so good about that short - lived Song Yixuan? All he did was praise the Princess of Prince Ning as the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. Why did she have to treat him so well, as if he were her own child?
No way. If her younger brother couldn't get any favors from the Princess of Prince Ning, then that pair of siblings shouldn't expect any preferential treatment either.
"Thank you, Mother, for your understanding," Song Nanxin replied with her head down, hiding the calculation in her eyes.
After leaving the Pine and Crane Courtyard, Song Nanxin was about to go to the Tinglan Courtyard to tell Song Yihuan about the birthday banquet of the Lady of the Duke of Jiang. Before she could say goodbye to Ji Lingchuan, she heard him ask, "Is there any tea in the Shulan Courtyard?"
Song Nanxin immediately understood and said excitedly, "Yes, Your Highness. I have all kinds of tea you like!"
It seemed that the conversation about the Imperial College had worked. Ji Lingchuan was indeed trying to get closer to her! She must seize this opportunity and get closer to him!
Ji Lingchuan touched the nine - ring puzzle hidden in his sleeve with his finger, nodded slightly, and avoided Song Nanxin's admiring gaze as he walked towards the Shulan Courtyard.
The sight of Ji Lingchuan and Song Nanxin returning to the Shulan Courtyard together surprised the servants there. As soon as Song Nanxin entered the door, she told the maids to prepare the tea set. For a moment, the Yixiang Pavilion was bustling with activity.
The beaded curtain was lifted to both sides by the maid. Ji Lingchuan walked through the flower hall and was led into the outer room by Song Nanxin.
Ji Lingchuan stood in the middle of the outer room. He glanced at the screen behind the beaded curtain and then shifted his gaze, looking around.
This was the first time he had carefully examined the interior of the Yixiang Pavilion during the day.
Different from the simplicity of his Jingtao Courtyard, the furnishings in the Yixiang Pavilion were exquisite and abundant. The cabinets and curio cabinets on both sides were filled with all kinds of precious ornaments, including porcelain vases, jade bi discs, and stone carvings, all of high quality, making this small boudoir look a bit magnificent.
Looking at the valuable ornaments on the wall, Ji Lingchuan frowned imperceptibly.