Chapter 76: Worthy of Being the Empress Dowager

  Yun Qianyue heard the old emperor's voice coming from outside, her mouth twitched violently. She was originally looking at Ye Qingran with a pitiful gaze, but now she felt sorry for him instead. This kid is really too pathetic. The old emperor came at just the right time, and Rong Jing is truly too black-hearted! She admired him to the point of prostration! She thought that she had been cheated by that black-hearted guy for so long, and every time she couldn't beat him, it was no wonder she was furious to the point of vomiting blood. Ye Qingran must be feeling the same way right now.

  At this moment, he was so angry that he felt like vomiting blood, just as Yun Shallow Moon had said. He glared at Rong Jing furiously, thinking that this bastard was so lucky to have been caught red-handed by the Emperor. His heart seethed with resentment and anger, and he shouted: "Your Majesty, heaven and earth are my witnesses! I really didn't cause any trouble! If you don't believe me, ask the little girl!"

  "Mmm, he really didn't cause any trouble, from the moment he arrived, he obediently stayed by my side!" Yun Shangyue was quite righteous in defending Ye Qingyan, feeling that she couldn't let Rong Jing frame him like this. This kid really didn't cause any trouble, what she said was true.

  "You're quite righteous, but righteousness isn't applicable here." Rong Jing casually floated out a sentence.

  "You little girl, I wouldn't believe you! I didn't call you to the study room to play. This little demon king's behavior is clear to me!" The old emperor had already walked in, followed by the unhappy Xiangqin Wang and the helpless Deqin Wang, who was looking at Ye Qianyan with a worried expression, as well as Yun Wangye, Ye Tianqing, Ye Tianyu, and several ministers. At the very back were Leng Shu and Lu Gonggong.

  "My integrity!" Yun Qianyue muttered, giving Ye Qingran a helpless look. Who made her and him both too untrustworthy? Others didn't believe her, and she couldn't blame them.

  "Your Majesty, it can't be said like that. I really didn't cause any trouble today. If you don't believe me, ask the people in this study. It's that weak and beautiful person who intentionally looks at me with disapproval." Ye Qingran glared at Emperor Hong while constantly giving sharp looks to Rong Jing.

  "That also depends on whether you have the ability to make Jing Shizi look at you with disapproval, you stinky brat! What virtues do you have that your father is also clear about?! Get out of here and rest now!" This time, the Emperor didn't speak, but De Qin Wang burst into anger.

  Ye Qing's face suddenly fell silent, somewhat indignantly.

  "Go back to the palace and rest, and think about your mistakes!" The old emperor said sternly.

  “…is!” Ye Qingyan's face was as cold as frost, and she could only stuff the book back into Yun Shangyue's hands. She stood up with some anger, walked around the guards, and headed towards the door. When she reached the entrance, she suddenly remembered something and turned to say to the old emperor: "Your Majesty, you can't blame Xiaoyu for hurting that pig's hand. He was the one who was causing trouble for Xiaoyu, and he deserved this outcome. Do we have to wait until Xiaoyu is beaten before taking action? If I had arrived a step earlier, it wouldn't be just a matter of crippling his hand. I would have twisted his head off!"

  The old emperor looked at Ye Qing with a glance, and remained silent.

  "I've been away for years, but I know a lot about the messy things that have happened in the capital, especially those people who were brutally killed by him. It's hard to count how many there are. This kind of scum deserves to be killed a hundred times and it still wouldn't be enough. Xiao Yatou didn't kill him, so he got off easy. If the Emperor dares to punish Xiao Yatou, I'll have a way to kill this little brat. I'm warning you in advance! This kind of trash should be executed by everyone!" Ye Qingran's words were directed at the old emperor, but her gaze was sharp and piercing as she stared at the Crown Prince, with a strong sense of warning and no hesitation in showing her support for Yun Shangyue.

  The cloud is shallow and the moon is warm in heart, I think it's really great that the night is lightly dyed! Good friends, talk about morality!

  Filial King's old face turned iron-green with rage, his body began to shake, and he shouted: "Xiao Wangye you..."

  "What's wrong with me? Filial King Uncle, everyone knows what kind of virtue your own son has, it's just that everyone turns a blind eye. How did you guarantee to the Emperor yesterday at the Martial Arts Conference? Today, you're letting your son out to harm people. I'm not a good person either, but I haven't done anything as cruel and unscrupulous as your family's pig-headed son." Ye Qingyan cut off Filial King Uncle's words without leaving any room for politeness.

  "Enough!" Duke De Qin couldn't bear it and rebuked Ye Qing at the top of his voice in front of everyone, his tone low and stern.

  "What kind of temperament Xiao Yatou has, I know best. She won't offend anyone unless they offend her first." Ye Qingran glanced at De Qinwang, ignoring his disapproving expression, and continued to speak to the old emperor: "So, Your Majesty, you should be fair. Yesterday, you let him off with a warning, but today he's causing trouble again, bullying Xiao Yatou. Does he think this Tianjing City is his own backyard, the Heng Xiangwang Fu?"

  The last sentence was said with a heavy tone, and Wang immediately changed his face.

  "Alright, I'm leaving. Who wants to stay in this broken-down study anyway? Don't even think about inviting me back." Having said her piece, Ye Qingran felt relieved, tossed out one last remark, and strode past the crowd out of the upper study.

  Arrogant to the extreme, completely with an air of fearing neither heaven nor earth!

  Yun Qianyue thought to herself, "What's so arrogant about her now?" Every day, she tucks her tail and behaves like a good person, afraid of being trampled by others for having no power or influence. She doesn't dare make any reckless moves. But Ye Qingran is truly arrogant. Who else would dare speak to the old emperor in such a loud voice, leave without even giving a farewell gift? Probably only Ye Qingran in this world! Rong Jing may have looked down on the old emperor, but she still didn't want to lose face. And Ye Qingran was indeed arrogant. Yun Qianyue thought that her reputation as the number one young noble of Tian Sheng was really just a facade. It should be given to Ye Qingran instead.

  "This good-for-nothing kid!" De Qin Wang's face was also unpleasant, scolding a sentence, to Xiao Qin Wang: "Leng Wang brother, this good-for-nothing kid is just like this, you can tolerate him! In these years, no one can control him anymore."

  Filial King's face turned blue with rage, his hands clenched into fists in his sleeves. Especially when he heard Ye Qingran call Leng Shaozhu a pig-headed fool, it was as if she was saying that his own son was useless and couldn't refute her at all. This little demon king was right, although he was lawless and domineering, he had never done anything that harmed the heavens or defied reason, but his son had committed too many evil deeds, so much so that he couldn't contain them all, and for a moment, he was so angry that his whole body trembled.

  "This little demon king is becoming more and more arrogant in front of me!" The old emperor also had a helpless expression, scolding him for a moment, then looking at the Filial King, "Cold King, brother, don't lower yourself to that little rabbit's level!"

  "The old minister has his own measure!" Xiaojing Wang nodded under the gaze of both the Old Emperor and Deqin Wang.

  He and Yun Wangfu had been at odds for years because of Leng Shaozhuo and Yun Qianyue, and this time they finally settled their feud. For more than a decade since Rong Wangye was murdered and Rong Wangfei died with him, the relationship between Rong Wangfu and Yun Wangfu had been distant due to Rong Jing's management of the household. It was thought that Rong Wangfu would decline, so they didn't bother to get along with them. Unexpectedly, Rong Jing recovered from his illness ten years later, and although he hadn't entered the court yet, Rong Wangfu was flourishing because of him. Neither the reputation among the common people nor the admiration of the officials in the court dared to provoke him. Judging from Rong Jing's help to Yun Qianyue in killing the hidden guards of Xiaoxing Wangfu and his testimony about Wǎngchūn Lóu, it seems that Rong Jing is on the side of Yun Wangfu, so Yun Wangfu and Rong Wangfu are now closely related.

  Now only one of the four major royal palaces, De Qin Wang Fu, is left. De Qin Wang has always been on good terms with Xiao Qin Wang Fu, and their relationship has been quite close. But unexpectedly, Xiao Wang Ye doesn't know what kind of soul-stirring potion Yun Shang Yue gave him, so he's taking her side and openly not giving face to De Qin Wang. The Emperor and De Qin Wang not only didn't scold Ye Qing for being a little demon king, but instead let him off the hook. If he doesn't know his place and also offends De Qin Wang, Xiao Qin Wang Fu will be ostracized by the three major royal palaces. Even with the Emperor's protection, it's likely that they won't be able to stand firm.

  So, after weighing the pros and cons, Xiaofei Wang was so angry that he vomited blood, but could only swallow his anger!

  "It's fine as long as you know your limits! That little demon king even I couldn't do anything about!" The old emperor nodded, relatively satisfied that the filial king knew his place and understood the bigger picture. As he finished speaking, he looked at Cold Shaozhuo on the ground, then turned to Yun Shangyue, his voice sinking, "Yue'er, explain to me, how did you end up crippling one of Young Master Cold's hands?"

  "He wants to hit me with that hand? I'll cripple it for him!" Yun Shangyue's words were simple.

  "Why did he want to hit you?" The old emperor didn't blame Yun Shangyue for sitting and answering, asking in a deep voice.

  "Ah, that's it! I was holding the book upside down, he scolded me, I scolded him back, and when he didn't take it lying down, he came over to hit me. How could I let his pig-like hand touch my face? Of course, I had to teach him a lesson!" Yun Shangyue shook her hands, which were still holding the book upside down, and rambled on: "He's actually a lecher, taking advantage of my beauty, that's why he keeps looking for trouble with me, wanting to take liberties with me. Now, he's using his anger as an excuse to try and touch me again. I've been patient once, twice, but now I'm fed up! Let him learn a lesson!"

  "You're talking nonsense! How could Shao Zhuo possibly be interested in you..." Xiaojing Wang was furious.

  "Your own son is a lecher, just look at how his body has been hollowed out, who knows how many innocent women he's harmed. What's so special about him having designs on me? In the past, I had martial arts skills and he couldn't do anything to me, but now that I don't have them, he's taking advantage of the opportunity to bully me. I didn't even dare say it yesterday, but today I'll say it in front of Your Majesty, my uncle, and see if I was wrong to defend myself! If Your Majesty says I'm wrong, then I won't argue back, after all, justice is in people's hearts, let this matter spread far and wide! Let it be said that the daughter of the Cloud King's household was bullied by a lecher, and yet Your Majesty still sides with the lecher and punishes the victim instead. If Your Majesty can silence the voices of the common people, then I have no opinion!"

  Filial King was choked with one sentence in his heart and mouth, for a moment he didn't know what words to use to refute, so he just angrily said: "You're talking nonsense!"

  "Why don't you go ask the common people on the streets of Beijing? See how many virtuous women have been defiled by him." Yun Shangyue looked at Xiaojing Wang with disdain and said, "But I reckon you won't be able to get any answers out of them. You are a high-ranking and powerful prince, while those ordinary people on the streets are insignificant in your eyes, like ants. When they see you, they're as scared as if they've seen a ghost, and can't even think about hiding. If you just clear your throat, they'll be so frightened that they'll wet their pants. You won't be able to get a single word out of them. I advise you to spare yourself the trouble! If I were your own son, born with such a despicable and unfilial nature, the signboard of Xiaojing Wang's estate would have been taken down long ago, and I would have been beheaded as an example to the world! And yet you still dare to make excuses? I'm embarrassed for you!"

  Filial King Wang looked at Yun Shangyue, his iron-green old face twisted for half a moment, his body violently trembling, but he couldn't say a word.

  Yun Shallow Moon scolded someone and felt a dark satisfaction in her heart. She could finally understand why Ye Qing Ran had walked away with a light step and an air of triumph earlier. Now, she was filled with energy and wanted to throw out a domineering phrase like Ye Qing Ran, but she didn't have the emperor's uncle or father king's backing, and her own father was a cowardly figure, plus she had no martial arts skills, so she couldn't be arrogant after all. She felt a bit discouraged, but looking at the pale face of Filial King, who seemed about to faint, still made her feel comfortable in her heart.

  The old emperor finally couldn't bear it anymore, cleared his throat and said in a deep voice: "Moon girl, I didn't say you did anything wrong or blame you, but you're throwing all these knives and spoons at me. Just like that little demon king, not even willing to eat half a loss." As soon as he finished speaking, he scolded with a stern face: "You're just a daughter, how can you spit out those dirty words? And got scared to the point of peeing your pants? Even farting is spoken out loud. Truly rough. It seems that I was right to let you come up to this study room to learn lessons."

  The cloud is shallow and the moon is visible, the old emperor finally let go and said that he would not blame her. She thought about whether it was Ye Qing's words that worked or her own words that worked. However, no matter whose words worked, as long as they worked, that's all that mattered. Listening to the old emperor scolding, she opened her mouth nonchalantly: "Your Majesty, uncle, do we have the characters for 'urine' and 'fart' in our written language?"

  "It is indeed!" said the old emperor.

  "That's it, I've just learned these two words and I'm using them. We all have to pee every day, we all have to fart every day. Can anyone hold back from peeing? Can anyone hold back from farting? Can the filial king do that? Can the emperor's uncle do that? Can the virtuous king do that? Even a sage can't do it! If there is this word and you don't use it, what's the point of learning it? Just remove this word from ancient texts, after all, the emperor's words are golden, as long as you issue an imperial edict saying that from now on, these two words 'fart' and 'pee' can no longer be used, I will never say them again." Yun Shang Yue continued to scold the old emperor, her face not red, her breathing not short.

  The old emperor opened his mouth, seemingly stopped by Yun Shangyue's words, and didn't make a sound for half a moment.

  "Haha, this little girl..." Duke De laughed loudly and said: "Although she doesn't like reading books, her logic is sound and solid, I'm afraid even bookworms can't outdo her."

  "It's all a bunch of nonsense!" The old emperor also laughed, saving face for himself.

  Filial King's heart was filled with anger, especially when he heard the Emperor say that he wouldn't punish Yun Shangyue. He was furious to the extreme, but at this moment, his own son had made a mistake and had been warned by Ye Nianzhen. Although he hated Yun Shangyue's arrogant attitude, he couldn't do anything about it. He didn't speak, and with large strides, he walked towards Leng Shaoyu. Looking at his swollen and bruised hand that had been broken, he felt a pang of pain and called out, "Shaoyu..."

  The Emperor and Prince De stopped laughing and looked at Leng Shao Zhuo who was lying on the ground.

  "Your Majesty, I beg your pardon. Take him away and have him treated. Although he is a scoundrel, he has learned his lesson today. I will not pursue Cloud Shallow Moon's crime, please do not blame me for this scoundrel son of mine! From now on, I will make sure to teach him well." The Filial King said these words with a heavy heart, but he acknowledged them. Thinking that a gentleman takes revenge ten years later, he endured it first and waited for the day when Cloud Shallow Moon would fall into his hands, he would definitely make her wish she were dead.

  "Didn't you go invite Imperial Physician? Why hasn't he arrived yet?" The old emperor heard this and immediately looked towards Leng Xue.

  The cold and detached demeanor was suddenly calmed down by the gentle words of Yun Qianyue. At this moment, when he heard the old emperor's question, he immediately woke up and hurriedly said in a loud voice: "Yun Qianyue is talking nonsense! My brother would never have any improper thoughts about her. He hates her the most, and can't bear to kill her. How could he possibly flirt with her? Your Majesty, you must do justice for my brother!"

  "Miss Leng, just because you like the Crown Prince, you want to marry into the Eastern Palace and look down on me all the time? I still remember how much you bullied me in the past. I'm sure everyone here knows what happened back then. Now that I've sworn not to marry the Crown Prince, what do you plan to do?" Yun Shangyue looked at Leng Xuan coldly, "You only have eyes for the Crown Prince, and you're jealous of me. You wish your brother would flirt with me, but who can believe the words coming out of your mouth?"

  "You..." Cold and distant, she didn't expect Yun Shang Yue to drag her out into the night sky, her face turned red as she glared at her angrily.

  "Just now, your brother could have been taken to the doctor immediately, but as his good sister, you stopped him from lying down and asking for a doctor. This back-and-forth has delayed things. In my opinion, it's not me who ruined your brother's hand, but you. You've been thinking about how to get the Emperor to come and take a look, so that he can punish me, and ideally throw me into the heavenly prison to die a slow death. That way, you'll be happy, getting rid of this eyesore, and you can marry into the Crown Prince's household! From start to finish, you haven't thought about how your brother's hand needs to be treated as soon as possible. All you've been thinking about is your position as the Crown Princess!" Yun Shang Yue looked at the Duke of Filial Piety with a lazy expression and said: "Duke of Filial Piety, you really have raised a good son and a good daughter! I'm truly impressed, impressed!"

  Yun Shallow Moon words fell, and still saluted King Filial Piety with a fist in his palm, his face full of admiration, it was truly infuriating to the point of death!

  Filial piety Wang's heart churned, and he suddenly tasted a bloody flavor that was forcibly suppressed by him. He glared fiercely at Yun Shangyue for a moment before turning his head to glare angrily at Leng Xue.

  "You're talking nonsense, it's not like that... Father, how could I not care about my brother?..." Yun Shangyue was caught off guard by the sudden accusation and saw that everyone was staring at her, some with surprise and disdain on their faces. Her face turned pale as she frantically tried to explain herself.

  "Shut up! You thing that doesn't even have a brother in your eyes, don't talk to me, get back to the palace!" Xiaojin Wang was furious, disregarding his old age, and with one hand, he picked up Leng Shaozhuo and stumbled forward to the front of the old emperor, trembling as he spoke: "Your Majesty, I..."

  "Hurry up and go to the hospital!" The old emperor cut him off, waving his hand.

  Filial King hurried out of the imperial study without delay.

  Her cold face streamed with tears, she glared at Yun Shang Yue once before turning around and running out in sobs. For the first time, she didn't dare to look at Ye Tian Qing who was standing behind the old emperor.

  After Filial King Wang left with Leng Shao Zhuo and Leng Su Li one after another, the study gradually quieted down.

  Yun Shang Yue put down the book she was holding, stood up, hung the flower basket on her arm, and said to the old emperor who was looking at her: "Your Majesty, I'd better go back to the mansion! This imperial study is really not a place I should come to. If I stay any longer, my life will probably be over. For the sake of my life, I would rather hide in the mansion and never come out again."

  The old emperor's eyes were deep and piercing, as if he wanted to see through Yun Shang Yue, but after looking at her for a while, he saw that she was hanging her head in fear. He withdrew his inquiry and laughed, scolding: "You little girl, today you didn't suffer a loss, yet you still look like you've suffered a loss. Don't worry, just focus on studying in the imperial study, I have spoken before, if anyone dares to bother you again, feel free to disable their hand, I won't investigate a single word."

  The old emperor's words fell, and he swept a glance at the princes, princesses, and sons of officials who were reading with them. Those people immediately lowered their heads, each one silent as if frozen in fear. Without the old emperor's warning, after today's bloody scene with Cold Xiao Zhuo, everyone dared not to mock or despise Yun Shang Yue again; they couldn't even bear to hide from her, let alone provoke her?

  "Well, little girl, it's finally settled then?" the old emperor asked.

  "It's barely passable!" Yun Shangyue blinked her eyes, reluctantly saying a sentence before putting down the basket and sitting back at her desk, smiling slyly at the old emperor. "I knew it, Your Majesty is indeed wise and just. I only realized today that learning to read is such a wonderful thing, so I've decided that even if you drive me out of the imperial study, I won't leave. I'll stick to it till the end!"

  Yun Shallow Moon words fell, only heard a "plop" sound, Ye Tian Yun couldn't help but laugh out loud.

  The night sky was originally obscured by shallow clouds and early moonlight, but now she saw that it was quite vivid and interesting, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

  "Haha, brother, this little girl is really a treasure!" De Qin Wang also burst out laughing and said to the old emperor: "No wonder that stinky kid in my house is so protective of this little girl!"

  "What a treasure! He's just a mischievous monkey!" The old emperor couldn't help but laugh, and turned to Rong Jingdao, who had been sitting at his desk with his head down reading a book without saying a word from start to finish: "Rong Shizi, I'm really making you work hard by letting you take over the lesson!"

  "Your Majesty is overpraising! I'm fortunate to be able to contribute a bit of effort for the sake of Tian Sheng." Gong Jing raised his head and said calmly.

  "My heavenly wisdom has surpassed that of 100,000 brave soldiers! This is also the blessing of heaven and mine!" The old emperor nodded his head, sighed and said to Rong Jing: "I was originally going to the library, but I heard that Cold Xiao Guniang had spoken out about something, so I came over to take a look. Now that everything is fine, let Jing Shizi continue with his lessons!"

  "Escort the Emperor!" Rong Jing stood up and saluted the old emperor.

  The old emperor turned around and walked out, taking two steps before instructing: "Tian Qing, Tian Yu, you two don't need to go to the Cangshu Pavilion anymore, stay here and listen to Jing Shizi's lesson instead!"

  "Yes, Your Majesty!" Night Sky Qian and Night Sky Ye simultaneously bowed their heads in unison.

  The old emperor went out first, followed closely by the King of Germany. The Cloud King glanced at Cloud Shallow Moon and sighed, also following them out. Several civil and military officials followed closely behind, and the group disappeared from the imperial study in an instant.

  Ye Tian Qing took a step forward towards Yun Qian Yue, and when Yun Qian Yue saw Ye Tian Qing walking towards her, her expression suddenly turned unpleasant.

  "Your Highness, please take a seat!" Rong Jing said calmly, "If you sit in the back, how can I dare to sit in front?" As soon as he finished speaking, he ordered someone outside, "Someone, bring a chair for His Highness!"

  Ye Tian stopped in his tracks and looked at Rong Jing, "The Crown Prince is here to listen to Gongzi's lesson, treat him as an equal!"

  "Crown Prince, Imperial Brother, isn't there a place for Miss Qin here? This is the front row again, it won't humiliate your status. Jing Shizi doesn't need to order someone to move seats either. I don't have your noble status, so I'll just go squeeze in with Moon Sister!" Ye Tianyu said as he walked over to Yun Qianyue, and by the time his words fell, he had already sat down beside her, in the seat that Ye Qingran had just vacated.

  The scenery is breathtaking, but I have no words to describe it.

  The clouds were shallow and the moon was visible at night, which was better than the dark sky. Her complexion improved slightly.

  "Your Highness, the Crown Prince requests your presence!" Qin Yujing glanced at Rong Jing and stood up, bowing to Ye Tianqing.

  Although Ye Tian's face didn't look good, he couldn't show that he cared too much about Yun Shangyue. He could only nod his head in response to Rong Jing and Ye Tianyu's words, and sat down beside Yu Cong.

  "Is there anyone else who can come out and discuss this?" Rong Jing continued to ask.

  "What's this about studying? How novel!" Nian Tianyu leaned in close and asked in a low voice, "Moon sister, what book are you reading?"

  "Take a look!" Yun Qianyue handed the book to Ye Tianyu.

  Ye Tianyu took it, and after glancing at the contents, his eyes widened suddenly. He looked at Yun Qianyue with an incredulous expression, but she ignored him, waiting for someone to stand up and speak. She thought that Yu Cong would not miss this opportunity to perform. Ye Qingran had just picked up the book and read it for a while without such a big reaction. She felt that Ye Tianyu's composure was really poor.

  Ye Tianyu looked at Rong Jing again, also with a ghostly expression.

  "Is nobody left?" Rong Jing seemed to have not seen Ye Tianyu's gaze directed at him and raised an eyebrow in inquiry.

  "May I speak, Jing Shizi?" A little girl about the same age as Yun Qianyue stood up, wearing a gorgeous palace-style dress, obviously a young princess.

  "Seventh Princess, please!" Rong Jing nodded lightly.

  So this is the Seventh Princess. Cloud Shallow Moon looked at the Seventh Princess, and she remembered that Jade Cong said she was her study companion. She felt that this little beauty didn't have the majestic aura of Qing Wan Gongzhu, but instead had a gentle and elegant demeanor. Probably because she had been with Jade Cong for a long time, the atmosphere around her was somewhat similar to Jade Cong's. It seemed that she was also a refined and knowledgeable mistress who knew how to advance and retreat. Moreover, her face was slightly flushed, and her voice was soft and gentle. Although she tried to hide it well when looking at Rong Jing, she couldn't deceive Cloud Shallow Moon's eyes.

  "Another bee staring at the peach blossoms!" Yun Shallow Moon muttered in a very low voice.

  Rong Jing suddenly glanced at Yun Qianyue, and Ye Tianyu woke up with a start. He leaned in close to Yun Qianyue and said, "Sister Moon, what were you saying about peach blossoms and honeybees?"

  "Nothing!" Yun Shang Yue shook her head, thinking that Rong Jing, a person without martial arts skills, had such sharp ears, was he even human?! Did he know she would say this? It's really unreasonable!

  "You and Jing Shizi are actually reading the forbidden erotic book 'Yuanyang Zhenthe'? How dare you! Just now, how did you not get caught by Father Emperor and those old fogies?" Ye Tianyu lowered his voice, looking at Yun Qianyue with a gaze as if she was some kind of freak. If he hadn't seen it himself, he really couldn't have imagined it.

  "Didn't you see that the book was being held upside down?" Yun Qianyue reminded Ye Tianyu, only an idiot would hold a book upright and wait to be discovered!

  Ye Tianyu hastily lowered his head, immediately turning the book over and glancing around to make sure no one had seen him. He let out a sigh of relief and looked at Yun Shangyue with a sly expression, saying: "I've been searching for 'Oriole's Pillow' for a long time but couldn't find it. How is it that you and Jing Shizong each have a copy, and they're both rare second-edition prints?"

  "How am I supposed to know!" Yun Qian Yue gave Ye Tian Yu an uncommunicative glance.

  "You little girl, you're actually hiding from me." Ye Tianyu looked at Yun Shangyue with a hurt expression, then smiled and said: "This is a book that can make people infatuated and their hearts flutter. Little girl, has your heart skipped a beat again? Otherwise, why are you reading this book? Did Jing Shizi's heart skip a beat too?"

  "Rubbish!" Yun Qianyue scolded, extremely disdainfully saying: "This is also called an obscene book? Don't insult obscene books."

  When will she bring the ten great obscene books, "Jin Ping Mei", "Guo Se Tian Xiang", "Pin Hua Bao Jian", "Ge Lian Hua Ying", "Jian Deng Xin Hua", "Fei Hua Yan Xiang", "Yu Lou Chun", "Hong Lou Chun Meng", and "Jiu Wei Gui" to let these rustic old men open their eyes, so they can know what real obscene books are. This "Yuan Yang Zhen" is simply childish, it's just a third-rate romance in that world!

  "Isn't this a lewd book? Little girl, have you read anything more...unseemly than this?" Ye Tianyu was shocked. He looked at Yun Shangyue with an unnatural gaze.

  "Hmm!" Yun Shangyue nodded slightly.

  Ye Tian Yun scolded in a loud voice, this time it was his turn to be disdainful and unbelieving, saying: "Little girl, go ahead and brag!"

  Yun Qian's eyes fluttered, and she looked at Ye Tianyu with an expression that he couldn't understand. She fell silent, mourning for herself in her heart. Her thoughts were lonely, and no one could comprehend them. Heroes are always lonely, so just endure it!

  At night, Tian Yu saw Yun Shang Yue not refuting him, carefully studied the expression on her small face for a moment, then lowered his head to look at the book in his hand, reading it upside down although it was tiring, but it didn't stump him, nor did it hinder him from reading with relish.

  "Scholars are said to have seven virtues: book, etiquette, reason, wisdom, humility, morality, and talent. The 'book' refers to the ancient classics that we study, which have been passed down to us for our learning. Etiquette is about being polite in one's words and actions, and it is through books that we learn to be courteous to others. Reason teaches us to understand principles and to reflect on ourselves. Wisdom is about being wise, humility is about being modest, morality is about having good character, and talent is about having exceptional abilities. If one can achieve all seven of these virtues, then they are truly virtuous. This also shows that learning has its uses." The Seventh Princess looked at Rong Jing, took a deep breath, and finished speaking in one go, her voice lowering as she tentatively asked, "Rong Shizi, do you think what I said is correct?"

  Yun Shallow Moon looked at Rong Jing, seeing that he didn't even lift his head, pouting and pretending to be nonchalant. Who can pretend better than him!

  "The Seventh Princess can't understand these easily. Sit down!" Rong Jing said one more sentence than usual.

  The Seventh Princess was overjoyed, her delight evident on her face. She immediately curtsied to Rong Jing and said, "Thank you, Young Master Jing!" After speaking, she sat down properly. Everyone around her could feel her joy.

  "Is there anyone else who wants to speak?" asked Rong Jing again.

  Yun Shallow Moon looked at Qin Yu Cong, thinking that this beauty should take action now!

  Indeed, as soon as her gaze swept past, she saw Qin Yuxin standing up. She first bowed to Rong Jing and began speaking in a warm voice, "Learning is vast and extensive. It can be obtained from books, from listening, from knowledge, and from observation. Using books as a mirror, one can cultivate their character and establish virtues, which is the quality of learning. Through listening, one can communicate with the divine and understand the principles of things. By observing, one can correct themselves, reflect on their own mistakes, and establish rules to govern themselves. As the ancient saying goes: 'Play with the ancients to warn the heart, comprehend the ultimate principle to clarify one's will.' Learning is about accumulating knowledge, asking questions to discern it, and gradually building up over time. This not only opens one's mind and brightens their eyes but also benefits their conduct and allows them to understand the world, distinguish between honor and shame, and differentiate between good and evil. Therefore, this is what learning is all about."

  Yun Shallow Moon's eyebrows twitched slightly as she thought that Qin Yuxin's reputation as a talented woman was not unfounded.

  The Seventh Princess lightly bit her lip and gazed at Yu Jing with a sorrowful expression before lowering her head.

  "Hmm, anything else?" Rong Jing nodded and asked again.

  Qin Yuxing hesitated for a moment, then said warmly: "From learning to observation, men are the gentlemen of learning, with talents that span heaven and earth, guarding their families and countries. Women are the gentlewomen of learning, teaching their husbands and children, and keeping them safe. Men reside in the grand halls, with ambitions reaching high, while women reside in the inner courtyards, with ambitions focused on their homes. Therefore, the learning discussed by men and women is not of the same level."

  Yun Qian withdrew her gaze, thinking that she had overestimated this little beauty. It turned out to be a mediocre housewife after all. But it also fits with the traditional female virtues she was taught since childhood, and I reckon she can recite the classics on feminine morals by heart.

  "I don't know if Yu Jing said it correctly? Please instruct me, Shijiezi!" Yu Jing asked softly.

  "Miss Qin is so talented, worthy of being a queen!" Gong Jing fell silent for half a moment before uttering eight words.

  The words fell, and the whole hall was in an uproar!

  Qin Yujing's small face instantly turned white as a sheet, staring at Rong Jing in disbelief, her body slightly trembling.

  At night, Ye Tian was secretly admiring Yu Jing's talent, but he didn't expect Rong Jing to say something like that, and he couldn't help but pause for a moment.

  Yun Shang's face twitched violently as she listened to the buzzing sounds all around, and she could imagine the weight of Rong Jing's words. Especially with Rong Jing's reputation, especially in front of scholars from all over the world, his every word had always been significant. Probably by tomorrow, these eight characters would spread throughout the land. Ha! There would be a good show to watch then. She looked at Rong Jing and felt that she had never found this guy so adorable before! I wonder what expression the old emperor, the fourth prince, and all the civil and military officials in the court would have when they heard these words.

  "Qin Yujing has fallen into the muddy water this time, and it's impossible to clear her name again." Ye Tianyu leaned in close to Yun Shangyue, making a clicking sound with his tongue, "Is this also considered great talent? Little girl, what benefits do you think Qin Yujing gave to Jing Shizi that made him help her so much?"

  Help? Yun Qianyue thought she was going to cough up blood, feeling stifled, and pushed Ye Tianyu away. "How would I know what benefits Qin Yuxin gave that weak beauty? I reckon it's your father the emperor who gave that weak beauty benefits! A talented and beautiful woman like Qin Yuxin wouldn't marry into any ordinary family, why would she not be snatched up by the imperial family?"

  The night sky twinkled with stars, as if pondering the words of Cloud Shallow Moon.

  Yun Shallow Moon ignored her and continued to watch the commotion. Thinking that this time Yu Jing's little heart must have fallen to the ground and shattered into pieces. She had been longing for her loved one to look at her with different eyes, but she never thought that the person in her dreams would send her to hell with just a few light words. She said it herself, if she fell off a cliff, she wouldn't save her. Look, this time isn't she falling off a cliff? I don't know if she can still climb back up.

  Jing Shizi burst out laughing, "Yu Jing, where...where did you get such skills? It's just a trick, not even worthy of being on stage." Yu Jing's voice was trembling. She had thought of thousands of ways that Jing would react, but she never expected these eight words. In that instant, she almost fainted on the spot. She really didn't expect to be praised as "a talent worthy of being a queen mother". If she had known earlier, she wouldn't have stood up even if you killed her.

  If someone else said this, it might be a joke, and no one would take it seriously. But coming from the mouth of Tian Sheng's genius, Jing Shi Zi, the weight of these words is immeasurable. If the emperor were to find out about this, who would dare marry her besides entering the palace? At the same time, this sentence also reveals what? It reveals that Jing Shi Zi had no intention of marrying her from the start, and not only had no intention but was also very ruthless. Doesn't she believe that Jing Shi Zi is unaware of her thoughts? Yet he uses these words to seemingly praise her to high heavens, but in reality, sends her plummeting into hell. She almost couldn't hold back tears, but still forced herself to endure. She must remain calm if she wants the opportunity to turn things around.

  "This prince has never joked! Miss Qin, please sit down!" Rong Jing smiled lightly and ignored Yu Cong, turning to ask Ye Tian, "What profound insight does Your Highness have?"

  "Miss Qin is indeed a great talent! The reputation of the number one talented woman in Tian Sheng is not spread in vain!" Ye Tian Quan looked at Yu Cong, who was sitting down with a trembling body beside him, and smiled at Rong Jing.

  Rong Jing nodded, his gaze turned towards Yun Shangyue's direction, seeing her looking at him with a "you're really ruthless" expression. His mouth curved slightly as he spoke in a soft voice, "Miss Shangyue, please tell me! Let this young master see what useful things you've learned today in the study?"

  Everyone also looked at Yun Shangyue, waiting for her response in unison.

  Yun Shallow Moon raised her head and looked at the top of the pavilion, with an expression that said "I'm not telling you", a bit arrogant, a bit comical.

  "It seems you haven't learned anything. You're indeed foolish and ignorant, not even comparable to Miss Qin in the slightest." Rong Jing looked at Yun Shangyue with a condescending attitude, belittling her while praising Yu Cong, then stood up, put away his book, and said warmly to everyone: "Today's lesson ends here! Dismissed!"

  Is it over? Yun Qianyue withdrew her gaze from the top of the shed and looked at Rong Jing. It's not noon yet, is it?

  Rong Jing glanced at Yun Shangyue, her eyes seeming to say "Do you still want to continue the lesson?" Yun Shangyue immediately shook his head, seemingly smiling, and without looking back, he walked out of the study with a light and elegant step under everyone's stunned gaze.

  Yun Qian Yue immediately picked up the flower basket, snatched the book from Ye Tian Yu's hand, and quickly stood up, rushing out of the study room closely following behind Rong Jing.

  A group of people with worried faces remained in the study room upstairs.

  Digression

  Those who still have monthly tickets, the end of the month is just a few days away, it's almost time to vote! (⊙_⊙) O (∩_∩) O ~

  Thank you for the diamond rewards and flowers from everyone below!

  hua3389818 (500 rewards 5 diamonds 20 flowers), lü nǎi nai (10 diamonds), kfk4816106 (6 diamonds), nisanviva (100 rewards), kfk4816106 (10 flowers), 499415104 (100 rewards), raphaellion (1 diamond), fēng yù sān shí (1 flower), shū yuàn kàn shū (2 flowers), hú dié xīn jié (1 flower), jiān jiào sè (1 flower), lisa (2 flowers), mó huàn yīng (1 flower), dailidx (1 flower), wrl0727 (1 flower), jì ān xiǎo (2 flowers), 123 táng xiǎo jiàng (1 flower), yú nán róng (1 flower), lǜ róng yǔ (1 flower), ppi gj (1 flower), me me, O (∩_∩)O~