u breathe here is a favor from my master.”The officer glared at them, his expression arrogant. “You say this is your place Who can prove it I could say you’re occupying good mountains and good water!...Princess Three must have been too shy about choosing a husband, and rarely did she clamor to leave the palace.
But Jia Yin gave her a bunch of delicious food and fun things, and she was also coaxed into being very happy.
As a result, just as he was about to leave, Mr. Feng rushed over to deliver a message.
"My lady, the emperor has summoned the top scholar, second-ranked scholar, and third-ranked scholar to the palace for a discussion. Yi the steward asked this servant to inform you. If you are not in a hurry, you can wait for the top scholar to return from the palace together."
Jia Yin expressed her joy and immediately thanked him. She then asked Shui Ling to hand a heavy purse to Feng Gonggong.
Master Feng refused to accept it, and jokingly said, "Your Highness, you're being too polite. How can I say this I am also a comrade-in-arms who has shared hardship with Your Highness! It is my duty to run errands for Your Highness!"
Upon hearing this, Jia Yin decisively put away her purse and smiled, "Alright, we're our own people, so I won't be polite. I remember that Mr. Feng likes to eat mandarin oranges. When I return to Suijin Beach, I'll bring a basket back for you."
"Oh, thank you, County Princess. This gift is truly something I adore." Feng Gonggong happily narrowed his eyes, chatted a few more idle words, then hurried off.
The third princess remembered the reason her father had summoned Lu Zong to the palace, and she blushed uncontrollably. She then made up an excuse and retreated back to her own bedroom.
Jia Yin waited for a while longer before leaving Zhilan Palace. After waiting for just a moment on the corridor, she saw Jia Ren and Lu Cong arrive, along with a middle-aged man whose face she did not recognize.
When Jia Ren saw his sister waiting, he was very happy.
Of course, his sister wore a veil that covered her brow and eyes, which made him even happier.
After all, Lu Zong who accompanied him was fine. They were familiar with each other on a daily basis. But the second-place scholar was a stranger.
A warm smile graced Lu Zong's face, but his eyes held a flicker of something more than mere mirth.
It was only when she looked towards the sound of beauty that her eyes held a hint of warmth.
"Sister, did you wait long" Jiaren walked up to his sister and said, then briefly introduced the scholar, "Zhao brother, this is my sister, Princess Kangle."
"Greetings, County Princess." The second-ranked scholar bowed politely, his eyes half-lowered in respect.
Jiao Yin also simply returned the greeting, then followed behind her brother.
Shuilin gave the eunuch who was leading the way a purse, then took over the errand and led the masters out.
After all, with the ranked scholar present in the palace, no one had much to say.
Not until they had left the palace gates did the second-ranked scholar bid farewell and depart. Everyone then boarded the carriage.
Jia Xu kept it in mind and waited patiently in the carriage. Unable to contain himself any longer, he asked, "How is it, Brother Lu Did the Emperor truly mean...that"
Lu Cong subconsciously looked at Jia Yin who was taking off her veil, his voice a little hoarse. After a long silence, he replied, "The Emperor didn't say it clearly."
Jia Xu sighed and slapped himself on the head in annoyance, "I thought too little. The Emperor meant it this way, and wouldn't say it outright."
Outside the carriage, Mu Xu jumped out from somewhere, walked to the side of the carriage, and happened to hear a few words. He couldn't help but curl his lips and asked in a loud voice, "County Master, would you like to go to the shop first, then return to Earl's Mansion"
In the carriage, Jiaren was the first to come to his senses. It was indeed inappropriate for his younger sister to ride in the same carriage with them.
Although he is still around, if outsiders harbor ill intentions and spread rumors, it's likely to be hard to avoid hearing them.
So, he bid farewell to Lu Zong and Jia Xu with clasped hands, making an appointment to meet again tomorrow. Then, he took his sister out of the carriage and got into their own family's carriage.
Mu Xu snatched Zheng Yi's position, happily whipped his whip, and left before the Lu family carriage could move.
Once the outsiders were gone, Jia Ren no longer had to be so reserved and whispered to his sister.
"Fu Niao'er, is the Third Princess looking for a husband recently"
Jia Yin wouldn't hide anything from her brother, let alone this. Moreover, the Emperor had appointed Lu Zong as the top scholar and summoned him into the palace today. It won't be long before everyone in Xin Du knows the Emperor's intentions.
She thought for a moment and then said, "The Emperor visited Zilan Palace a few days ago and spoke with the Third Princess for a long time. I wasn't there, but I know some things."
"The Emperor did indeed intend to find a husband for the Third Princess. That day during the Palace Exam, my lady and I snuck a peek from behind the screen. It was all with the Emperor's permission."
Jia Ren frowned, lowering his voice even further, and asked, "Is the Third Princess...interested in Lu Zong"
It's best not to say too much about the good things, after all, the Third Princess has been kind to her. If she says too much, it could seem like she's betraying the princess.
She hesitated for a moment before vaguely replying, “The Third Princess had seen Brother Lu twice at our home before. Seeing him again during the palace exams naturally made her feel more familiar with him. Most importantly, the Emperor also intended…”
Jia Ren sighed, completely understanding.
It seems Lu Zong is likely to marry the Third Princess. The Third Princess favors him, and the Emperor also wants to solidify control over the southwest border region.
Besides, the Lu family would definitely be willing. In the end, whether Lu Zong was willing or not seemed to be of little importance.
Jia Yin noticed that her brother's face was not looking good, so she tentatively asked, "Brother, is it that Lu Ge doesn't want to be the son-in-law Actually, the Third Princess, although she seems a bit willful and capricious, has a kind heart. And she is very protective of the people she likes."
She didn't receive much love from her parents when she was young, so her personality is a bit off. Thankfully, she's improved a lot now.
"Brother Lu is a steady and patient person. As long as you are willing to make concessions and give him some guidance, the Third Princess will definitely become better and better."
Jia Ren sighed and rubbed his younger sister's hair, smiling without a reply.
My younger sister is still young and doesn't understand the complexities of love.
People often say that young girls have springtime in their hearts, meaning a woman about to get married always imagines what her future husband will be like.
In fact, young men are no different.
Youth fades, beauty withers, and compared to beauty, everyone wants to find a wife who understands and cares deeply.
In the decades to come, we will accompany and support each other.
Through wind and rain, or happiness and sorrow, never to part.
How wonderful!
Just like him and Wan'er, they were in perfect harmony, often making him feel lucky.
Naturally, he also hopes that his brothers and friends are the same.
It's a pity, Lu Zong is probably not going to get that chance...
Seeing that her brother was unwilling to speak, Jia Yin changed the subject and asked, “Big brother, when the Emperor summoned you both just now, did he say where he would assign you to serve”
"That's settled," Jiaren opened the snack box and gave his younger sister a crispy sesame stick, replying, "The Emperor asked us three what we desired to do. I said that I didn't want to work in the Imperial Library, but rather wanted to be an official posted outside the capital, serving as a shepherd for the people."
Jia Yin nodded in agreement. She had originally thought the same thing.
My big brother studied hard for ten years, it wasn't just to stay in the Hanlin Academy all day writing with the same old men.
If one can be promoted and serve in a higher position, having broad vision and working for the benefit of the people is the best outcome.
"Brother, do you have any ideas about where you want to take office Our family is in Xindu, so it's probably not possible for us to place you nearby. But our family also has business in Quanzhou, and your third brother is an official in the Hailan Army, so it's unlikely that we could send you to the southeast either."
"Thinking it through, the southwest is the only option. But it's barren land, so being an official there would be tough. Thankfully, Brother Lu's family lives there, maybe they can lend a hand..."
Jia Ren listened to his younger sister's endless chatter, his heart warming with amusement. He quickly stopped her, smiling and saying, "Alright, little housekeeper, leave these matters to me and the elders. You're just a little girl, enjoy yourself however you please, don't worry so much."
"I'm afraid you'll age prematurely, go gray before your time. When grandma and aunt come back, they won't know how to bear the sight."
Jia Yin smiled and happily bit into the crispy, savory sesame sticks with a satisfying crunch. She was used to it, always treating her brother like that naive farm boy, worried he'd get taken advantage of.
At that moment, Zheng He ran out from somewhere and hurriedly stopped the carriage.
Today is double update day, one of which is a special update for the Lunar New Year. Tomorrow, Huahua will start frying and cooking all kinds of dishes for the festivities. I wish everyone Happy New Year in advance! I hope you all have a healthy and joyful year of the Rabbit! as soon as possible!"Ye Gongzi nodded with difficulty, then reached under his body and pulled out a golden token. These things exhausted all his strength, and he then closed his eyes and fainted.Wint...