Chapter 36: An Old Friend Not Seen for Years

“I suddenly received a letter telling me to go to a certain place at a certain time to buy braised meat; it really gave me a fright.”

Ling Yu walked along the long corridor once more, though this time he was no longer reading. The book was held in his hands and carried behind his back as his beautiful eyes scanned the scenery on both sides.

“I went there and didn't see you; so you were waiting for me here.”

“Since you’ve come, why not just go straight in? Whether to find the Master or me, why go through such unnecessary trouble?”

Because speaking up would leave a trace of his presence, Mo Zheng did not answer from behind. He only smiled and said, “It has been so many years since we last met; I am truly happy that Senior Brother Ling can still recognize my handwriting.”

“What is there to be happy about?” Ling Yu shook his head. “It only shows that my handwriting hasn't improved a bit in all these years.”

Mo Zheng laughed heartily. “I indeed cannot compare to yours, Senior Brother.”

Ling Yu shook his head again. “You cannot compare yourself to me. I was born into wealth; I have never lacked food or clothing, my parents are healthy, and my siblings live in harmony.”

He turned to look at Mo Zheng, seemingly seeing the child from years ago again, being led by a hunched old man, apologizing: “Please do not blame my grandson, Little Master. He loves reading and was eavesdropping outside; he was so absorbed that he began reciting aloud. I apologize for the disturbance.”

The child had been holding a tree branch, head bowed, using his toes to secretly wipe away the characters written on the ground.

By calculation, it had been six years since they last met.

Meeting again now, he surprisingly did not feel like a stranger.

Although the boy's face had matured, his childishness had faded, and he had grown much taller, the youth's eyes remained as clear and tranquil as before.

Ling Yu smiled faintly.

“Back then, the Master wanted to take you as a disciple, but your grandfather was old and had to fulfill his filial duties. I saw your cousin at the meat shop just now; he said your grandfather has passed away and your family has come to the capital. So, are you here to see the Master to continue your studies?”

Mo Zheng shook his head with a smile. “No, I am currently working as a guard. I am here to accompany my young lady for her examinations.”

Ling Yu was momentarily stunned, surprised first by the mention of a "guard" and then by "the young lady's examinations." He instinctively looked toward a nearby palace.

“The examination for the Princess's companions?”

...

...

“The names have been placed on the desks. Ladies, please find your assigned seats.”

Since they were here to select companions, the ladies in the hall were not yet the Princesses' companions. Therefore, once the Princesses arrived, there was no socializing; instead, they were invited to the second floor by palace matrons and instructors.

The main hall on the second floor was already set with desks, fully equipped with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

The women dispersed throughout the hall to find their seats. Aside from the four Princesses sitting at the head, everyone else was arranged randomly.

“Miss Liu, your seat is here.”

As Yang Luo was searching, Qin Ying waved and called to her.

Yang Luo hurried over and thanked Qin Ying, only to see Yang Hui walking over as well. Seeing the two sitting next to each other, Yang Hui curled her lip.

“Is it Liu, or was it Miss Fu?” she asked.

Qin Ying glared at her. “Yang Hui, restrain yourself. Character and conduct are the primary criteria for selecting companions this time.”

Yang Hui was not afraid of her and said, “I’m just joking with her to help her relax.” Having said that, she looked at Yang Luo. “Miss Liu, if there is anything you don't understand or don't know how to do, feel free to ask me.”

Yang Luo gave her a smile. She had grown used to her cousin's pampered behavior at home, but she hadn't expected her to be the same in public.

Was she not afraid of being criticized?

Or was she simply someone who bullied the weak and flattered the strong, masking her true nature well in front of most people?

Or perhaps her talents were so outstanding that her flaws were overlooked?

Which was why she was eventually selected as a companion and was frequently kept by Princess Pingcheng's side.

Qin Ying nudged her arm and whispered, “Ignore her.” Then, thinking of something, she added quietly, “Don't provoke her.”

It seemed Qin Ying still feared Yang Hui—was it because of the title of Duke of Ding'an? Yang Luo smiled gratefully. “Thank you for looking out for me. You are a truly good person.”

Qin Ying giggled. “Anyway, I won't pass the exam. I'm just here to make connections. By befriending the Princess's companions, my own status will rise accordingly.”

The instructors over there had already begun urging them to “find your seats and sit down quickly,” so Qin Ying said no more.

“Study hard. You came from such a far place; you must have real skill. Outshine them all.”

With that, she walked away to her own seat.

Yang Luo sat down. She would study hard, but not for the purpose of—nor was it possible to—outshine everyone.

She only needed to outshine Yang Hui.

“There were forty people back then, and only eleven were chosen. I fought my way through the crowd.”

Yang Hui's boastful narration echoed in Yang Luo's ears. She had been telling this story incessantly for five years, from the moment she entered the Duke of Ding'an's manor until her marriage. Yang Luo couldn't remember the exact occasion, but all the other siblings were present when Yang Hui told it, and her eldest cousin had remarked

“You placed last—you were the eleventh person. You barely made the cut.”

At the time, Yang Hui was very angry. “Being eleventh is still being selected! It's still fighting through the crowd. A narrow victory is still a victory.”

This time, she would be that eleventh person and kick Yang Hui out.

Yang Luo lowered her head, looking at the writing tools on the desk.

“...We will begin with calligraphy to test your literary skills.”

Accompanied by the memory of Yang Hui's voice, the sound of a drum echoed through the hall.

Yang Luo looked up to see a palace matron holding a drumstick and an instructor standing in the center of the hall.

“Ladies, our first item is to examine your calligraphy,” the instructor said, gesturing with her hand. “An article has been placed on each desk. Please transcribe it once. There are no restrictions on the style of calligraphy.”

As the words fell, a rustling sound filled the hall as the women hurriedly found the articles on their desks and began spreading out their paper.

Yang Luo was in no rush. She watched the instructor, waiting for her to finish her final sentence.

“...Once the drum has been struck three times, submit your papers.”

Yang Luo looked to her side. Yang Hui had already picked up the article and was reading it, muttering with a slight frown, “So many words.” Sensing Yang Luo's gaze, she immediately squeezed out a fake smile.

“Miss Liu, stop staring at me and hurry up and write. If you don't finish, don't come crying to me.”

Yang Luo smiled at her. “I will finish. I have practiced for a long time.”

Having said that, she withdrew her gaze, ignoring Yang Hui's eye-roll.

Yang Luo looked at the spread paper.

Back then, she had both envied and revered Yang Hui, thinking that having great knowledge and being a Princess's companion made one a famous noble lady in the capital.

She was also young and full of dreams, wondering if she, through diligent study, could also become a Princess's companion.

So, she imitated Yang Hui's handwriting, her zither playing, and her writing style.

She wrote over and over, played over and over, and even sought guidance from her female teacher.

She didn't know how long it took—three or four years, perhaps—but the female teacher, who had always merely smiled and told her to work hard, finally nodded and said, “You do it better than her.”

At that time, she was incredibly happy and believed the teacher's words.

However, reflecting on it after her rebirth, she realized the teacher might have just been saying it to please her.

As for whether she was merely being coddled or if she truly was better than Yang Hui, the truth would be revealed today.

Yang Luo picked up her brush and wrote the first character.

...

...

Everyone in the hall was focused on their writing.

Sitting above, Princess Wuyang looked at the writing tools before her and frowned. “Do we have to write as well?”

Before the palace matron could speak, Princess Pingcheng spoke first.

“They are selecting companions for us, but we are also to study at the Imperial Academy,” she said. “Naturally, we must be tested as well.”

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the other three princesses.

“The Chancellor is very strict in his teaching. It would be best if he didn't tell Father that you are all unlearned.”

Princess Wuyang immediately became displeased. “How can you say that about us? What about you? We are all around the same age, and we all received our basic education in the palace together.”

Princess Pingcheng remained calm, casting a glance at her. “I am indeed a bit better than you all.”

Having said that, she looked away and picked up her brush to write.

Princess Wuyang was so angry she almost stood up, but she was stopped by the palace matron. “Princess, please do not cause a disturbance.” “Everyone is watching.”

Although she sat at the very front, separated from the others by a distance, they were still in the same room, and the commotion had already drawn many eyes.

Princess Wuyang could only suppress her temper, glaring at Princess Nangong and Princess Shengping. *What about you? Nothing to say?*

Princess Nangong nodded timidly. “Sister does indeed study better than us. I have heard Father praise her.”

Princess Shengping waved her hands aggrievedly. “Sister Wuyang, I didn't receive my basic education with you all. Don't drag me into this.”

*Flatterer! Coward!* Princess Wuyang cursed inwardly. She picked up her brush resentfully, then thought of something and looked at the instructor.

“Will the Chancellor personally oversee our examination today?”

Upon hearing this, Princess Pingcheng's hand, which had been writing intently, paused slightly.

The instructor said with a smile, “It is called an examination, but it is actually to allow the Princesses to become familiar with the companions and to gauge everyone's progress. The Chancellor does not need to oversee it; it will be judged by two Doctors of the Five Classics from the Academy, both of whom are disciples of the Chancellor.”

Princess Wuyang breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn't that old man, it was fine.

Princess Pingcheng, however, felt a slight sense of regret. They were not yet significant enough to catch the Chancellor's eye.

But this was only temporary.

Her eyes held determination.

As the most beloved daughter of her Father and Mother, and the future first Grand Princess of the Great Xia Dynasty, she was exceptional. She would surely enter the Chancellor's service and become his very first female disciple.

(End of Chapter)